A tree falling onto the overhead power lines has caused severe damage and severely disrupted West Midlands Railway train services on the Cross City Line between Lichfield and Birmingham.

The incident happened yesterday afternoon, Monday, 28 April, near Chester Road station, causing the immediate closure of the line.

As soon as the incident happened, Network Rail deployed engineers to the site, and they are working to repair the damage and reopen the line as quickly as possible.

Until the line reopens and services are restored, a rail-replacement bus service will operate between Lichfield and Birmingham New Street, and train tickets will also be accepted by local bus operators.

The disruption has not affected the southern section of the Cross City Line, with train services between Birmingham New Street and Redditch/Bromsgrove operating as normal.

The latest information about disruption to services can be found on the West Midlands website at www.wmr.uk

Earlier this month on Friday, 5 April, Network Rail took advantage of a closure of the Cross City line because of industrial action to carry out a rare chance on a weekday to inspect and assess the overhead power lines.

Earlier this year, a train in Norfolk travelling at 83 mph ran into trees that had fallen onto the line.

The fallen tree near Chester Road has caused significant damage to the overhead power lines which will take Network Rail some time to repair.

I urge passengers travelling on Tuesday to check their journeys before setting out as rail replacement transport will be in operation until the repairs have been completed and the railway reopens.

Up-to-date information is available via journey planners, our website and social media channels and I would like to thank our passengers for their patience while these repairs are completed.

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at West Midlands Railway