Derailed freight train causes commuter disruption

A derailed freight train has caused widespread disruption with cancellations and service changes expected to continue all day.

The train came off the tracks at low speed near Bilbrook in the Wolverhampton area, West Midlands Railway (WMR) said, damaging overheard wires and affecting multiple routes.

All lines between Wolverhampton, Stafford and Shrewsbury were disrupted with trains unable to run in either direction.

Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, London Northwestern Railway (LNR), Transport for Wales (TfW) and WMR services were affected. Rail replacement buses were running between Telford and Wolverhampton, with onward rail travel operating from Telford Central to Shrewsbury.

LNR and WMR trains were unable to run in either direction between Wolverhampton and Telford Central, according to National Rail.

A bus shuttle service was running between Birmingham and Wolverhampton via Darlaston and Willenhall.

"This derailment has damaged the overhead electric wires and knocked over the supports which keep them in the air," according to WMR's website.

WMR added repairs following the incident may carry on until Thursday.

TfW said they could not operate trains either way between Birmingham International and Shrewsbury, with rail replacement in operation between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury.

Customers were advised tickets could be used on selected alternative services for no additional cost.

Avanti West Coast advised customers tickets were valid on one of the operator's two services immediately before or after their booked trains.

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