Commuters and travellers in the West Midlands faced significant disruption on Sunday after a lineside fire forced the cancellation of a key train route for the remainder of the day.
Service Suspended Following Fire
West Midlands Railway (WMR) announced that all services between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley were cancelled following the incident. The disruption began on the afternoon of Sunday, 11 January 2026, and the operator confirmed the suspension would last "for the rest of the day."
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the rail company informed passengers: "Services to Lichfield will not run for the rest of the day. Service should resume first thing tomorrow." The company added a note of cautious optimism for other affected routes, stating that services to Four Oaks might resume later in the evening.
Emergency Response and Passenger Impact
Engineers were dispatched to the site immediately to assess the damage and begin repairs. The primary focus of their work was to restore the overhead line equipment, which was affected by the fire.
To mitigate the impact on passengers, rail replacement bus services were organised and implemented throughout the evening. This measure aimed to provide a basic transport link for those stranded or needing to complete their journeys between Birmingham and Lichfield.
The cancellation of this popular route caused considerable inconvenience for Sunday travellers, including shoppers, day-trippers, and those returning from weekend visits. Birmingham New Street, a major national transport hub, experienced knock-on effects from the suspension.
Looking Ahead to Monday Commute
West Midlands Railway expressed hope that normal service would be restored by the morning of Monday, 12 January 2026. The operator's target is for trains to resume running "first thing tomorrow," which will be crucial for the weekday commuter rush.
Passengers planning to use the route on Monday morning are advised to check the latest travel updates from West Midlands Railway before setting out. While the company is working to meet its restoration target, last-minute changes or delays to the restart are always possible following such incidents.
The cause of the lineside fire is not currently known, and such events serve as a reminder of the vulnerability of rail infrastructure to external incidents, which can cause widespread travel chaos with little warning.
