Press release -
North end of Cross City Line to remain closed on Thursday following overhead line damage
Passengers are being warned of disruption between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley after overhead power cables were damaged on the northern section of the Cross City line.
Network Rail has apologised to passengers affected as engineers work as fast as they can to repair the 25,000-volt cables at Gravelly Hill.
Around 800 yards of electric cable - which powers the trains – have been damaged. The scale of the repairs mean trains can’t run on the line for the rest of the day.
West Midlands Railway is keeping people on the move using rail replacement buses and tickets are being accepted on selected National Express West Midlands bus routes.
Services on the Cross City line south between Birmingham New Street, Bromsgrove and Redditch are unaffected.
Anyone planning to travel between Birmingham and Lichfield Trent Valley today (Thursday 9 September) is advised to check www.nationalrail.co.ukor www.westmidlandsrailway.co.ukfor the latest information.
Denise Wetton, Network Rail’s interim Central route director, said:
“I’m really sorry we’re unable to give passengers the service they expect and deserve today. Our engineers are working as fast as they can to fix the fault with the overhead electric cables.
“While this is taking place I’d urge anyone travelling today to check with National Rail Enquiries or West Midlands Railway before they set off for the latest information.”
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director for West Midlands Railway, said:
“I would like to thank our customers for their patience while Network Rail engineers work to repair the significant damage to the overhead wires at Gravelly Hill.
“Until the repairs are complete passengers can use their tickets to travel on local bus routes or on CrossCountry services between Birmingham and Tamworth.
“I encourage anyone whose journey has been delayed by 15 minutes or more as a result of the disruption to claim compensation using the Delay Repay scheme.”
For more information on how Network Rail fixes faults with the overhead electric cables, visit: www.networkrail.co.uk/delays-explained/overhead-line-equipment-failures/
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For further information on this release, email press.office@wmtrains.co.uk
West Midlands Trains operates both West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway services.
- London Northwestern Railway services operate between Liverpool and Birmingham, and on the West Coast Main Line to and from London Euston.
- West Midlands Railway services operate to destinations across the West Midlands via Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Snow Hill.
For more information on these services visit westmidlandsrailway.co.uk or londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk
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