Holidaymakers heading to Birmingham Airport by train on Wednesday 6 May are facing severe disruptions following a freight train derailment near Bilbrook in Wolverhampton last night (Tuesday 5 May). The incident has caused all-day delays and affected key routes, leaving trains unable to run between Wolverhampton, Stafford, and Shrewsbury in either direction.
Services Affected
Multiple train operators are impacted, including Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, London Northwestern Railway, Transport for Wales, and West Midlands Railway. Transport for Wales has confirmed that it cannot operate trains between Birmingham International and Shrewsbury, with replacement buses running between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury.
Alternative Travel Options
Passengers are advised that their tickets will be accepted on alternative services at no extra cost. Avanti West Coast stated that tickets will be valid on services immediately before or after booked journeys. West Midlands Railway reported that the low-speed derailment occurred between Wolverhampton and Bilbrook, blocking all lines and damaging overhead electric wires. Support structures holding the wires were also knocked down, making the route unsafe for trains.
Repair Work and Advice
Repair work is expected to continue into Thursday 7 May as engineers assess and fix the damage. Passengers travelling between Birmingham New Street and Shrewsbury are advised to change at Wolverhampton or Telford Central and continue using replacement buses and modified train services. Transport officials urge people to check journey planners before travelling and consider delaying trips where possible.
Customers delayed by 15 minutes or more may be eligible for compensation under the railway’s Delay Repay scheme.
