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Saturday 10 Oct 2026

Staffordshire West Coast Main Line disruption due to overhead line fault

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: Central

Rail passengers are being urged to check before they travel due to overhead line problems on the West Coast Main Line in Staffordshire.

A fault with the 25,000-volt wires which power trains near Penkridge is causing disruption between Stafford and Wolverhampton.

Rail replacement buses are in place at Birmingham, Stafford and Wolverhampton to keep passengers on the move as much as possible.

Network Rail engineers are currently on site working as fast as they can to fix the problem so more trains are able to pass through the area affected.

While that is ongoing, customers are urged to check www.nationalrail.co.uk before they set off on their journey today.

Adam Checkley, engineering director for Network Rail Central route, said: “We’re sorry to passengers impacted by the overhead line problems at Four Ashes near Penkridge. Our engineers are on site trying to get the railway fully reopen as soon as possible. With disruption to train services likely throughout the day, I’d urge people to check National Rail Enquiries before they set off on their journey.”

Ticket acceptance is in place on alternative routes including the East Coast Main Line, and Midland Main Line via Sheffield.

As this is a developing situation, people are advised to check @NetworkRailWCML on X for latest updates on the overhead line repairs.

For more on what happens when overhead lines fail you can visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/rail-travel/delays-explained/overhead-line-equipment-failures/