Power cut hits rail control centre - major disruption for West Midlands services

Services across the CrossCountry network will be significantly disrupted on Sunday (August 23) due to a power cut affecting the control centre.

As a result of a power cut affecting CrossCountry control centre, train services across almost all routes will be withdrawn until further notice, with the exception of services between Peterborough, Cambridge and Stansted Airport.

The building where CrossCountry’s control centre is located has been affected by a power cut in Birmingham city centre, which started yesterday. As a result, many of the systems used to manage the railway are currently unavailable.

Customers are advised to check their journey before travelling with National Rail Enquiries.

Tickets purchased for travel on CrossCountry services on Sunday 23 August can be used for travel with other train operators on that route. Customers are advised to check their journey with National Rail Enquiries.

Customers who are delayed by 30 minutes or more can apply for Delay Repay compensation on the website.

Customers who choose not to travel on Sunday can apply for a refund at their point of purchase.

Despite the chaos, other rail operators have agreed to accept CrossCountry tickets including Chiltern.

A spokesman said: “A power failure at CrossCountry control centre means their trains can’t run today, so the industry is pulling together to keep customers moving. In order to help, we have added services between Birmingham Moor Street and Oxford and are accepting all CrossCountry tickets.”