CrossCountry has issued a critical update for passengers as Storm Goretti continues to batter the UK, causing major travel disruption across the West Midlands.
Severe Weather Causes Widespread Travel Chaos
The storm has brought temperatures plunging to as low as -12 degrees Celsius in parts of the country, with significant snowfall blanketing regions including Birmingham. This has led to substantial disruption on both rail and road networks, leaving many travellers stranded and uncertain about their journeys.
Nick Westcott, CrossCountry's Service Delivery Director, stated that the past day has been exceptionally difficult. "Storm Goretti has had a significant impact on the CrossCountry network, particularly across the West Midlands, and the past 24 hours have been extremely challenging for both customers and colleagues," he said.
Key Service Disruptions and Stranded Trains
The heavy snow in the Birmingham area had severe consequences. Several trains were left stranded, and access to the company's depot was blocked. This prevented many trains from refuelling overnight, compounding the operational crisis.
Ongoing problems for crew members trying to reach Birmingham have further hampered efforts to restore services. As a direct result, CrossCountry's operations are facing severe limitations on Sunday, 11 January 2026.
Currently, there are no services operating from Birmingham New Street towards Manchester, Nottingham, or Cardiff. A limited service is running on other routes, but passengers are experiencing widespread cancellations and delays.
Passenger Advice and Ongoing Recovery Efforts
CrossCountry teams are collaborating with Network Rail on a round-the-clock basis to manage the storm's fallout while prioritising safety. The company has issued strong guidance to anyone planning to travel.
Customers are strongly advised to check the latest journey information before setting out. As a gesture of goodwill, tickets dated for travel on Sunday, 11 January, will be valid for use on CrossCountry services up to and including Monday, 12 January.
The Met Office forecast warned of a band of snow moving across the country, bringing potentially heavy accumulations. "Whilst not all areas may see accumulating snow at low levels, 2 to 5cm is likely, perhaps locally 10 cm," a forecaster said. On higher ground above 200 metres, 10 to 20cm is possible, with up to 30cm in exposed parts of Scotland. The combination of snow and strong winds is also creating widespread icy conditions and drifting snow, exacerbating the travel difficulties.
