A lorry has struck a railway bridge in Stourbridge, forcing West Midlands Railway to place a temporary block on all Snow Hill line services between Birmingham and Stourbridge. The incident was reported shortly after 5.20pm, and specialist engineers have been dispatched to the scene to examine the structure for safety.
Lorry collides with bridge
The collision occurred at a bridge on the Stourbridge stretch of the Snow Hill line. West Midlands Railway alerted passengers through social media, writing: "Lorry colliding with a bridge at Stourbridge. A temporary block has been placed on Snow Hill line services whilst the line is examined." The operator stated that no trains would be able to continue through the affected section until engineers have completed a full safety assessment.
The line remains suspended in both directions between Stourbridge and Birmingham city centre. This means that services which normally call at multiple stations across Sandwell and west Birmingham are currently unable to run, leaving passengers with limited options to reach their destinations.
Which stations are affected?
The disruption hits six stations along the route. These are:
- Cradley Heath
- Rowley Regis
- Smethwick
- Galton Bridge
- The Hawthorns
- Jewellery Quarter
Each of these stations is currently without any rail service in either direction. For many travellers, this means finding a different method of transport, particularly those who depend on the train for short hops into the city or connecting to other rail lines.
Replacement buses arranged
West Midlands Railway has confirmed that tickets will be accepted on National Express West Midlands buses as an emergency measure. This applies to all journeys between Birmingham and Stourbridge, including across the six affected stations. Season ticket holders, advance-purchase customers and those using day returns are all covered by the arrangement.
Passengers do not need a separate bus ticket; they simply show their rail ticket to the driver when boarding. The operator has advised that replacement buses may be busier than usual and is recommending that travellers leave additional time to complete their journeys.
The timing of the incident means that passengers heading home on Sunday evening or making late journeys are likely to be affected. Delays could spill into the night time, especially if the bridge inspection takes several hours, and passengers should be prepared to continue using buses until the rail service is fully restored.
Bridge inspection under way
Specialist bridge engineers are now examining the affected structure to assess whether it has sustained any damage. The temporary block will remain in effect until the engineers are satisfied that the bridge is safe for trains to pass. This is a standard precaution following any bridge strike, as hidden damage may not be visible from the outside.
There is currently no confirmed estimate for when services will resume. West Midlands Railway has said it will provide further updates on its website and social media channels once the examination has concluded. Passengers are being reminded not to rely on normal train times until an official reopening is announced.
Advice for passengers
Anyone planning to travel on the Snow Hill line today or in the coming hours should check live departure boards before leaving home. The bus replacement service is likely to be the quickest option, but it does not always operate at the same frequency as the rail service, and routes may be affected by local road traffic.
For those already at a station, the advice is to speak to railway staff or use the customer information points to identify the nearest National Express West Midlands bus stop. Staff are on hand to help with direction and ticket validation, where required.
National Rail Enquiries has been updated with the latest service information, and disruption alerts are being sent to passengers who have subscribed to journey updates. However, those without access to these channels are advised to check the operator's social media feeds, which are being updated regularly.
A vital route for the region
The Snow Hill line forms an important part of the West Midlands rail network, connecting Stourbridge with Birmingham's business district and onwards to the wider national network. It is used by thousands of passengers each day, from students and commuters to visitors exploring the region. The line also carries freight traffic, adding to the importance of a quick and safe resolution.
Bridge strikes have become a recurring challenge on British railways, with the West Midlands frequently affected by lorries striking low bridges. Rail industry groups have long campaigned for improved lorry driver guidance and better satellite navigation systems to prevent such incidents, but the problem persists, causing delays and cancellations when they happen.
Until the line is reopened, passengers are strongly advised to plan ahead and allow sufficient time for their alternative travel. The situation remains under review, and further announcements are expected from West Midlands Railway once the structural inspection is complete. In the meantime, the safety of passengers remains the top priority, and the temporary block will not be lifted until the bridge is declared fit for service.
