Rail bosses 'confident' trains will return to the Cross City Line tomorrow morning - The Redditch Standard

Rail bosses 'confident' trains will return to the Cross City Line tomorrow morning

Redditch Editorial 14th Aug, 2018 Updated: 15th Aug, 2018   0

WEST MIDLANDS Railway bosses have said they are confident the problems on the Cross City Line will be resolved by the end of today.

And, despite them earlier confirming there would be no trains for the rest of the day, they told The Standard normal service should resume tomorrow morning.

In the last 24 hours, two trees have fallen onto the line, badly damaging overhead power lines, and a section of the embankment, north of University station, had become unstable.

The cause of the earth movement is being investigated and the railway line has stayed shut until repairs are complete.




James Dean, chief operating officer for Network Rail’s London North Western route, said: “We are doing all we can to remove the at-risk trees and make the embankment safe as quickly as possible.

“The embankment is very wet, which appears to have caused the issues, and we are investigating the cause of this.


“Safety is paramount and the decision to keep the railway closed has not been made lightly.”

Richard Brooks, customer experience director for West Midlands Railway urged customers to plan an alternative route this afternoon and allow extra time for journeys.

“We apologise for the disruption and urge anyone who has been affected to claim compensation through delay repay.”

The first tree fell late yesterday morning (Tuesday), damaging the overhead power lines.

Repairs were made and the line reopened late on Tuesday night – only for a second tree to fall and damage the power lines again shortly afterwards.

Further repairs were made overnight and a survey first thing this morning revealed earth movement on the embankment.

West Midlands Railway tickets are being accepted on local National Express West Midlands bus services between Birmingham New Street and Longbridge. Rail replacement buses are in operation for stations between Longbridge, Redditch and Bromsgrove.

Trains between Birmingham New Street and Hereford are being diverted in both directions and are not calling at University. Trains between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield will run as booked.

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