Disruption on Birmingham Cross City rail line after bridge hit twice in same day

Passengers travelling on the Cross City Line between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley across Tuesday were left facing delays and were forced to find other travel arrangements after the two incidents, which happened within about two hours of each other.

The first incident happened at around 10.20am on the B4531 Edwards Road when a lorry was reported to have struck the low bridge near the station, with West Midlands Railway reporting that the line was blocked.

The rail service also stated that tickets for rail services would be available on National Express Bus Services while the lorry was recovered, while the incident lasting just over an hour and seeing services first being able to run at a reduced speed, then being fully restored at 11.29am.

A spokesman for West Midlands Railway said at the time: "The Cross City North line has been blocked between Birmingham New Street & Lichfield Trent Valley due to a lorry striking with a bridge near Erdington.

"Trains may be cancelled, altered, or delayed and we have ticket acceptance in place with National Express West Midlands buses."

A later message on social media at 11.01am said: "Trains are now able to run on the Cross City North but at a reduced speed.

"There may till be delays and cancellations so please plan ahead and allow plenty of time when travelling."

A further update at 11.29am confirmed that services were back up and running, saying: "Services are now able to run normally again on the Cross City North. Thanks for your patience."

The second collision took place just one hour later at 12.26pm and saw closures and delays for more than three hours, with rail replacement bus services put in place between Sutton Coldfield and Lichfield and tickets accepted on National Express Bus services between Birmingham New Street and Sutton Coldfield.

A spokesman for West Midlands Railway said at the time: "After a second bridge collision at Erdington, the Cross City North is again blocked 

"Ticket acceptance with National Express West Midlands has been requested."

A second message on social media at 1.01pm said: " Ticket acceptance with National Express West Midlands between Birmingham and Sutton. 

"Rail replacement buses ordered to run between Sutton and Lichfield."

A third message on social media said that services were back up and running at a reduced rate, saying: " Trains on the Cross City North are able to run at a reduced speed. 

"There may still be cancellations, alterations, and delays."

The incident was declared as over by 3.42pm, with a final social message saying: "Normal working on the Cross City line as following the bridge collision, services are now running as scheduled. 

"Thanks for your patience."