Rail passengers hit by delays

Hundreds of rail passengers travelling between Wolverhampton and Birmingham faced delays today after a train breakdown and electrical failure.

Passengers travelling from Wolverhampton to Birmingham were being advised to disembark at Smethwick after a circuit failed near Wolverhampton.

Further disruption was caused after a train stopped on the line between Longbridge and New Street station and a train following behind suffered a flat battery.

Network Rail confirmed that 90 per cent of passengers using New Street station would be affected and advised people to use trams and buses to get into the city.

The company also warned about overcrowding as commuters queue to use routes still in service.

Delays of up to an hour were reported following the train breakdown in the university area.

Dale Sellers, spokeswoman for Network Rail, said: "There were two problems, a track circuit failed on the Wolverhampton side and a train broke down near Longbridge.

While the trains queued behind the one near Longbridge, another train had a flat battery."

Services to Lichfield were also affected by the disruption.