Press release —
Oxley freight train derailment means ongoing disruption through Wolverhampton
A low-speed freight train derailment in Oxley will impact passengers travelling through Wolverhampton until the end of service today.
At around 8.30pm on Tuesday 5 May, one wagon of a freight train derailed at low-speed, causing damage to the track and overhead power lines. There were no injuries, the derailed wagon remained upright, and no other trains were involved.
The complexities of removing the derailed wagon and making the significant repairs means disruption will last until the end of today (Wednesday 6 May) and most likely into Thursday 7 May. Passengers should check before they travel for the latest information until the railway has fully reopened.
The derailment means there are no trains running between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury, but West Midlands Railway is running a shuttle service between Shrewsbury and Telford. Transport for Wales (TfW) is unable to operate its service to and from Birmingham Airport, with all journeys starting and ending at Shrewsbury. TfW-organised buses will run between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton to help keep passengers moving.
The line between Wolverhampton and Stafford is open but may be subject to some changes to services.
Adam Checkley, Network Rail's Central route infrastructure director, said: "This was a low-speed derailment involving one wagon of a freight train, but it has still caused significant disruption to passengers and extensive damage to the track and overhead power lines.
"Our priority is to assess the damage, make repairs as quickly and safely as possible, and reopen the railway as soon as we can.
"I want to thank everyone for their patience while we do this and would urge anyone planning to travel through Wolverhampton, and especially to or from Shrewsbury, to check before they travel for the latest information."
Network Rail is working closely with train operators to keep passengers moving, and with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) to understand the cause of the derailment.
Passengers can plan their journey and check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk or with their train operator.
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About London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway
For further information on this release, email press.office@wmtrains.co.uk
- 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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