Engineers race to fix 25,000-volt overhead cables on Cross City line

Thursday 9 Sep 2021

Engineers race to fix 25,000-volt overhead cables on Cross City line

Region & Route:: North West & Central; | North West & Central: Central

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 1.7km 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.uk or www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk for 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/

Contact information

Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

Journalists
Network Rail press office - North West & Central Region
07740 782954
NWCmediarelations@networkrail.co.uk

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