Trains axed as problem hits line

The railway network in the West Midlands was today plunged into chaos and national services disrupted by overhead wire problems in Penkridge.

Thousands of passengers were facing delays and cancellations after problems, which were reported at around 7pm last night, continued this morning.

Local trains between Wolverhampton, Penkridge and Stafford remained suspended today. The problems were expected to continue until at least noon.

Central Trains services between Liverpool and Birmingham were finishing at Crewe.Virgin Train services on the West Coast and Cross Country lines were also being affected.

Seventeen trains from London Euston to the north and 20 from Preston, Manchester and Liverpool to the capital were no longer stopping at Wolverhampton, Birmingham New Street, Birmingham International or Coventry and were being diverted via Nuneaton.

Three trains that should have run from Euston to Manchester were terminating at Wolverhampton.

On the Cross Country line, services between Manchester and Birmingham were being reduced to every hour and were being diverted via Stafford, adding 40 minutes to journey times.