Network Rail is reminding passengers that severe disruption is continuing this morning between Wolverhampton and Stafford.
Network Rail says that extreme weather conditions on Tuesday 24th March caused a tree to fall on the railway and damage the overhead lines near Penkridge station.
Engineers have worked overnight to repair the equipment but the line is still blocked with major disruption expected until 12:30.
Passengers have been informed that ticket acceptance is in place with CrossCountry, London Northwestern Railway and TransPennine Express for Avanti West Coast passengers.
CrossCountry passengers can use tickets with Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway, London Northwestern Railway, London Underground, South Western Railway, Transport for Wales, West Midlands Metro and West Midlands Railway.
“Our teams are working hard to try to reopen the railway as soon as possible but passengers should expect further disruption tomorrow.
“Services in the area are likely to continue to run on altered schedules, with some cancelled. Please plan ahead if you are travelling on the railway.”
Martin Colmey, operations director for Network Rail Central
For up-to-date travel information please check www.nationalrail.co.uk.
Responses
Network Rail now seems to blame “extreme weather” for every upset to its network. Wednesday’s winds were pretty normal for this time of year and in no way could be called extreme. Could it be that Network Rail continues to neglect keeping linesides free of trees and bushes that could obstruct or damage the line?
The solution to that is a comprehensive delay causation and attribution scheme where the causing company is made to pay. Unfortunately, far too many proponents of GB Rail etc want to do away with such schemes because it’s too much like hard work.