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Rail commuters face major disruption across England | Rail commuters face major disruption across England |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Thousands of rail passengers are facing delays and cancellations across England after overhead electric wires stopped working in the Midlands. | Thousands of rail passengers are facing delays and cancellations across England after overhead electric wires stopped working in the Midlands. |
Services affected include routes to London, Edinburgh, Manchester, North Wales and Southampton. | Services affected include routes to London, Edinburgh, Manchester, North Wales and Southampton. |
It was caused by a London Midland train "involved in an incident" with overhead wires at Birmingham International station, Network Rail said. | It was caused by a London Midland train "involved in an incident" with overhead wires at Birmingham International station, Network Rail said. |
It said the damage "will not be repaired until 20:00 at the earliest". | It said the damage "will not be repaired until 20:00 at the earliest". |
About 300 people were queuing at Coventry station following the start of the problems at about 06:30 BST. | About 300 people were queuing at Coventry station following the start of the problems at about 06:30 BST. |
By 16:30, London Midland said it was operating a reduced hourly service between Birmingham and Coventry. | By 16:30, London Midland said it was operating a reduced hourly service between Birmingham and Coventry. |
Latest updates on rail disruption | Latest updates on rail disruption |
Virgin Trains, Arriva Trains, Cross Country and London Midland services routed through Birmingham are either delayed or cancelled. | Virgin Trains, Arriva Trains, Cross Country and London Midland services routed through Birmingham are either delayed or cancelled. |
Liam Sumpter, from Network Rail, said: "Shortly after 06:30 an empty London Midland train leaving Birmingham International station heading towards Coventry, became involved in an incident with the over line equipment." | Liam Sumpter, from Network Rail, said: "Shortly after 06:30 an empty London Midland train leaving Birmingham International station heading towards Coventry, became involved in an incident with the over line equipment." |
This "resulted in significant damage to that over line equipment and the train itself, and blocked the line in its entirety," he explained. | This "resulted in significant damage to that over line equipment and the train itself, and blocked the line in its entirety," he explained. |
He said engineers were on site to rectify the problem. | He said engineers were on site to rectify the problem. |
Commuters took to Twitter to vent their frustrations: | |
Kirsty from Wolverhampton said: "Seven hours late and the trains still aren't fully sorted. My God its been crazy between Birmingham and Coventry today!" | |
Fiona Trewavas from Aylesbury said: "Attempting to get to Birmingham to see Mary Poppins. Trains totally messed up. Currently sat at Northampton. Announcements very wrong too!" | |
Han Nivz from Salford said: "Delays are fine, but we were kept waiting for nearly an hour waiting for a train driver to arrive at Coventry in a taxi...?! " | |
Bus replacement services have been operating between Rugby, Northampton and Coventry; and Chiltern Railways and Arriva Trains are both accepting London Midland and Virgin tickets. | Bus replacement services have been operating between Rugby, Northampton and Coventry; and Chiltern Railways and Arriva Trains are both accepting London Midland and Virgin tickets. |
Birmingham Airport has warned travellers to allow extra time when planning their journey to avoid missing their flight. | Birmingham Airport has warned travellers to allow extra time when planning their journey to avoid missing their flight. |