This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/7169115.stm

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Route to reopen after rail chaos Route to reopen after rail chaos
(about 1 hour later)
The West Coast route will reopen from first thing on Friday after overrunning engineering work caused major disruption, Network Rail has confirmed.The West Coast route will reopen from first thing on Friday after overrunning engineering work caused major disruption, Network Rail has confirmed.
The company could be fined millions of pounds by regulators after tens of thousands of travellers were affected.The company could be fined millions of pounds by regulators after tens of thousands of travellers were affected.
Rail passengers have faced another day of disruption as work continued on the West Coast Mainline at Rugby.Rail passengers have faced another day of disruption as work continued on the West Coast Mainline at Rugby.
Network Rail said it wants the project managers and principal contractors to explain what has happened.Network Rail said it wants the project managers and principal contractors to explain what has happened.
'Want answers''Want answers'
The company issued a statement on Thursday saying that chief executive Iain Coucher will chair a "high-level" meeting next week on the issue.The company issued a statement on Thursday saying that chief executive Iain Coucher will chair a "high-level" meeting next week on the issue.
He said: "I will be summoning our project managers, Bechtel, and the principal contractors involved to attend so they can personally explain to me what has gone wrong.He said: "I will be summoning our project managers, Bechtel, and the principal contractors involved to attend so they can personally explain to me what has gone wrong.
"They gave me assurances before Christmas on which they have not delivered. I want answers from them.""They gave me assurances before Christmas on which they have not delivered. I want answers from them."
Scotland to London services were due to return to normal on New Year's Day but staff shortages meant work was delayed.Scotland to London services were due to return to normal on New Year's Day but staff shortages meant work was delayed.
Works at Rugby have shut the line between Birmingham International and Northampton, prompting Virgin to advise passengers not to use its trains.Works at Rugby have shut the line between Birmingham International and Northampton, prompting Virgin to advise passengers not to use its trains.
'Too early''Too early'
Meanwhile, London's Liverpool Street Station has now reopened after work on a bridge there also overran. Meanwhile, London's Liverpool Street Station has now reopened after work on power cables also overran.
Mr Coucher said an investigation into the causes had been launched and admitted Network Rail had "let passengers down".Mr Coucher said an investigation into the causes had been launched and admitted Network Rail had "let passengers down".
He said: "The railway will be back tomorrow (Friday) but the work is far from done.He said: "The railway will be back tomorrow (Friday) but the work is far from done.
This has been a fiasco and our customers expect and deserve better Chris Gibb, Virgin Trains Counting the cost of travelTaking on rail challengeThis has been a fiasco and our customers expect and deserve better Chris Gibb, Virgin Trains Counting the cost of travelTaking on rail challenge
"We have a significant programme for developing and expanding the railway over the coming years and we have to make certain that it is carried out to plan.""We have a significant programme for developing and expanding the railway over the coming years and we have to make certain that it is carried out to plan."
Rail Regulator Chris Bolt said Network Rail had been fined £2.4m last Christmas following signalling problems at Portsmouth.Rail Regulator Chris Bolt said Network Rail had been fined £2.4m last Christmas following signalling problems at Portsmouth.
"That is clearly a precedent we have already put in place, so fining them again, if that will help to resolve these problems, is something we won't hesitate to do," he said."That is clearly a precedent we have already put in place, so fining them again, if that will help to resolve these problems, is something we won't hesitate to do," he said.
More people had been affected by the more recent problems than at Portsmouth, he added.More people had been affected by the more recent problems than at Portsmouth, he added.
"It's too early to say what the fine might be but it clearly could be substantial," he said."It's too early to say what the fine might be but it clearly could be substantial," he said.
'Planning error''Planning error'
Network Rail's operations director Robin Gisbey said a "planning error" had resulted in not enough overhead wire electricians being asked to come to work, admitting: "We got it wrong."Network Rail's operations director Robin Gisbey said a "planning error" had resulted in not enough overhead wire electricians being asked to come to work, admitting: "We got it wrong."
He added: "We've now got extra resources into Rugby, we've been flat out over the last couple of days."He added: "We've now got extra resources into Rugby, we've been flat out over the last couple of days."
Chris Gibb, managing director of Virgin Trains, said "very few" passengers had been using its service.Chris Gibb, managing director of Virgin Trains, said "very few" passengers had been using its service.
He added: "What I want to see is a change in behaviour by Network Rail to ensure this never happens again.He added: "What I want to see is a change in behaviour by Network Rail to ensure this never happens again.
"I want to be able to provide a good service to customers, I want to know in advance when the engineering work is going to take place and not be told at the last minute.""I want to be able to provide a good service to customers, I want to know in advance when the engineering work is going to take place and not be told at the last minute."
The company's chief executive Tony Collins said: "This has been a fiasco and our customers expect and deserve better."The company's chief executive Tony Collins said: "This has been a fiasco and our customers expect and deserve better."
Meanwhile, Virgin has announced that saver fares will be available on all trains, including peak services, next Monday and Tuesday to enable customers to travel for less at short notice.Meanwhile, Virgin has announced that saver fares will be available on all trains, including peak services, next Monday and Tuesday to enable customers to travel for less at short notice.
HAVE YOUR SAY This is what happens when you allow essential services, such as public transport, to fall into the clutches of profit-making companies Jeff Minton Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY This is what happens when you allow essential services, such as public transport, to fall into the clutches of profit-making companies Jeff Minton Send us your comments
It also said passengers could claim compensation if their journeys had been affected.It also said passengers could claim compensation if their journeys had been affected.
In the meantime, replacement bus services are operating between Birmingham, Coventry and Northampton, but they have been adding up to two hours to journey times.In the meantime, replacement bus services are operating between Birmingham, Coventry and Northampton, but they have been adding up to two hours to journey times.
Chiltern Trains and other operators are accepting Virgin tickets and Cross Country has said it is putting on extra services between Birmingham New Street and Reading to help travellers.Chiltern Trains and other operators are accepting Virgin tickets and Cross Country has said it is putting on extra services between Birmingham New Street and Reading to help travellers.
The widespread disruption has coincided with above-inflation fare rises of up to 11%.The widespread disruption has coincided with above-inflation fare rises of up to 11%.
Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said passengers had been "on the end of a real double whammy".Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said passengers had been "on the end of a real double whammy".
Passengers to and from London are being urged to use alternative routes on Thursday as follows:
  • Birmingham - Chiltern Railways to Marylebone
  • Nuneaton - Cross Country/East Midlands Trains via Leicester to St Pancras
  • Rugby - Drive to Kettering then East Midlands Trains to St Pancras
  • North West England - Trans Pennine Express/East Midlands Trains via Sheffield to St Pancras
  • North Wales - Virgin Trains/Cross Country/Chiltern Railways via Birmingham to Marylebone
  • Scotland - National Express East Coast to King's Cross
Passengers to and from London are being urged to use alternative routes on Thursday as follows:
  • Birmingham - Chiltern Railways to Marylebone
  • Nuneaton - Cross Country/East Midlands Trains via Leicester to St Pancras
  • Rugby - Drive to Kettering then East Midlands Trains to St Pancras
  • North West England - Trans Pennine Express/East Midlands Trains via Sheffield to St Pancras
  • North Wales - Virgin Trains/Cross Country/Chiltern Railways via Birmingham to Marylebone
  • Scotland - National Express East Coast to King's Cross