Heavy snowfall from Storm Goretti has plunged the Midlands into travel chaos this evening, with major disruption to bus services across the region. National Express West Midlands has confirmed that dozens of its routes are being diverted or curtailed, with many services sticking only to main roads as conditions deteriorate.
Widespread Disruption to Bus Network
National Express West Midlands issued a statement thanking passengers for their patience and urging them to travel safely. The operator has implemented a series of emergency alterations to its network, with the situation remaining fluid. The severe weather has led to cars becoming stuck on untreated routes, compounding the difficulties for public transport.
A significant number of services are now terminating early or following heavily amended routes to avoid hazardous side roads and steep inclines. The company advised that the latest version of the diversion list should be consulted for real-time updates.
List of Affected Bus Services
The following services are experiencing significant alterations as of the evening of Thursday, 8 January 2026. Passengers are urged to allow extra time for their journeys and check before they travel.
- Service 2 (Warstones - Bushbury Hill): Terminating at Showell Circus.
- Services 2/2A (Merry Hill - Wrens Nest): Buses terminating at Dudley.
- Services 3 & 3A (West Bromwich - Merry Hill/Blackheath): Using main roads only.
- Service 4M (Walsall - Merry Hill): Unable to serve Rowley Regis Hospital.
- Services 5 & 5A (Dudley - Kingswinford/Wall Heath): Using main roads only.
- Service 6 (Dudley - Stourbridge): Using Castle Hill and Duncan Edwards Way in both directions.
- Services 7, 9, 11, 11A, 15: All using main roads only.
- Service 12 (Dudley - Birmingham): Using Wolverhampton Road to Dudley in both directions.
- Service 13 (Birmingham - Blackheath): Using Wolverhampton Road, left onto Queensway, continuing to Brandhall Interchange.
- Service 18 (Dudley - Merry Hill): Buses terminating at Northfield.
- Service 24 (Birmingham - Woodgate Valley North): Terminating at World End Lane.
- Service 27 (Solihull - Rubery, Great Park): Norrington Road impassable; using Frankley Beeches Road.
- Service 33 (Birmingham - Pheasey): Using Kingstanding Road in both directions.
- Service 40 (West Bromwich - Wednesbury): Continuing along Crankhall Lane then onto normal route.
- Services 45 & 47 (Birmingham - Longbridge): Both terminating at Longbridge Station.
- Services 48, 49, 50, 61, 74, 77, 77A, 80, 82, 87, 126, 998, X5, X10, X22: All operating with significant diversions, early terminations, or route amendments. Specific details are listed in the operator's full advisory.
Rail Services Also Impacted
The travel disruption extends beyond the roads. West Midlands Railway reduced its train services from 3pm today and strongly recommended that people only travel if necessary, aiming to complete journeys by 7pm.
National Rail explained the challenges posed by the extreme cold on the railway network via social media platform X. They stated that icy conditions make acceleration and braking much riskier, comparing it to driving on icy roads. The issue is exacerbated because both train wheels and rails are made of steel, reducing friction and increasing the risk of wheels slipping.
"There’s a real risk trains can miss their stops or overshoot red signals if they can’t brake properly. At worst, this could cause a collision," the statement warned, highlighting the serious safety implications of the severe weather.
With Storm Goretti continuing to affect the region, passengers across the Midlands are facing a difficult evening commute. The advice from all transport operators remains consistent: avoid non-essential travel, plan ahead if you must journey, and expect ongoing disruption until conditions improve.
