An issue with overhead electric wires has caused major disruption tonightRail passengers crowd on the platform as disruption continuesRail passengers crowd on the platform at Birmingham New Street as disruption continues(Image: Birmingham Live)

A problem with the overhead electric wires has caused major issues at Birmingham New Street tonight.

Passengers could be seen crowding on platforms as services were cancelled and delayed in pictures sent to Birmingham Live tonight.

Following damage to the overhead electric wires between Coventry and Rugby, all lines have now reopened but dispruption is expected to continue until the end of the day with warnings trains may be delayed or cancelled.

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Avanti West Coast services between Birmingham New Street / Edinburgh / Glasgow Central / Preston / Wolverhampton and London Euston are affected, along with London Northwestern Railway services between Birmingham New Street and Northampton / London Euston.

A National Rail update said: “As services recovers, trains may still be cancelled, delayed by up to 30 minutes or revised.

“Disruption is expected until the end of the day.”

Advice for passengers

Passengers have been urged to check their journeys ahead of time.

Avanti West Coast advises customers that they can use their ticket on the following alternatives at no extra cost:

  • CrossCountry between Stafford and Birmingham New Street in both directions until further notice
  • Chiltern Railways between Birmingham Moor Street and London Marylebone
  • London Northwestern Railway between Birmingham New Street and London Euston

Rail replacement coaches are also in operation between Coventry and Rugby.

If your train is cancelled, your ticket is valid on one of the two Avanti West Coast services immediately before your booked train, or one of the two immediately after.

London Northwestern Railway advises customers that they can use their tickets on the following alternatives at no extra cost:

  • Chiltern Railways between London Marylebone and Warwick Parkway
  • National Express West Midlands bus routes between Coventry and Birmingham
  • West Midlands Railway between Birkingham and Lichfield Trent Valley (to connect with London Northwestern Railway services to London Euston)

Rail replacement transport is in operation between Coventry and Northampton via Rugby, and also between Coventry and Birmingham International.