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Friday 27 Sep 2024

Cable theft and heavy rain disrupts Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury journeys

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: Central

Thieves have stolen more than 140m of cable on the line between between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury, further disrupting passengers already impacted by flooding.

Network Rail was alerted to the theft after signalling failed near Albrighton station at around 2am on Friday morning. They found over 140m of cable had been cut and stolen.

Flooding in the Wellington area, including at Wellington station where the tracks were completely underwater, had already blocked the line. The flood water has now subsided but the large amount of cable stolen and the repairs needed means disruption is expected throughout today (Friday 29 September).

Martin Colmey, Network Rail’s Central route operations director, said: “These brazen criminals have no concern for the safety of passengers or local people, they are only interested in making a few quick pounds selling stolen metal to unscrupulous scrap dealers.

“Along with flooding caused by the heavy rain overnight, it has not been a good morning for passengers between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury and I am sorry for the inconvenience caused.

“We are doing all we can to get the line reopened but please check before you travel for the latest information.”

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at West Midlands Railway said: “We apologise to passengers impacted by the flooding and cable theft between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton. We are providing rail replacement bus services, calling at all stops on the affected route until the line is able to reopen. I would encourage passengers to allow extra time to complete their journey and check before they travel.”

There is also disruption on the Chiltern main line after flooding in the Ardley area blocked the route between Bicester and Banbury. Water flooded tracks on the approach to and through a tunnel in the area, affecting tracks and vital equipment needed to keep trains moving safely.

Network Rail teams are working there to reduce water levels so the line can reopen as soon as possible.

Anyone with information relating to the cable theft or any other railway crime should contact British Transport Police by calling 0800 40 50 40 or texting 61016.

Passengers should check before they travel with their train operator or www.nationalrail.co.uk or @NationalRail on X.