Severe winter weather has brought major parts of the West Midlands rail network to a standstill, with multiple trains left stranded and widespread cancellations affecting Birmingham.
Widespread Cancellations and Stranded Trains
On Friday, January 9, 2026, rail operator CrossCountry took the decision to cancel all of its services on key routes from Birmingham. This includes trains running to and from Manchester, Nottingham, and Cardiff. The drastic move follows heavy overnight snowfall attributed to Storm Goretti, which swept across the region.
The operator confirmed that the extreme conditions resulted in several trains becoming stranded on the network. Compounding the issue, crews have faced ongoing difficulties travelling into Birmingham to staff services, severely hampering efforts to restore normal operations.
Operator Issues Urgent Travel Advice
Nick Westcott, CrossCountry's Service Delivery Director, outlined the scale of the disruption. "Storm Goretti has had a significant impact on our network, particularly across the West Midlands," he said. "The past 24 hours have been extremely challenging."
He explained that the heavy snow not only stranded trains but also prevented access to the company's depot, leaving many units unable to refuel overnight. As a result, services for the day are severely reduced, with no trains running from Birmingham towards the three major cities and only a limited service on other routes.
CrossCountry tickets dated for travel on January 9 can be used on services up to and including Monday, January 12.
Passengers Told 'Only Travel If Necessary'
Inside Birmingham New Street station, notice boards carried clear warnings to passengers. The messages stated that due to the storm, trains in the West Midlands and surrounding areas are running on a reduced timetable.
The advice from both the station and the operator is unequivocal: passengers must plan their journey carefully, check for updates before setting out, and only travel if absolutely necessary.
CrossCountry has stated that its teams are working around the clock with Network Rail to manage the impacts of Storm Goretti while prioritising safety. The wider West Midlands region is also grappling with significant road closures following the same snowstorm.
