CrossCountry plans to operate a full train service on Monday after a power outage at its Birmingham control centre caused widespread cancellations across the network on Sunday.
The operator said it expected to run only a “very limited number of trains” from about 18:00 BST on Sunday. Services were being restored primarily on routes towards Leicester and Derby, with planning continuing for a CrossCountry full service the following day.
CrossCountry full service planned for Monday
A CrossCountry spokesperson said the company’s priority was to restore a service as close to normal as possible. Most facilities at the control centre had been reinstated, while recovery work continued with National Grid and other rail industry partners.
Passengers have been strongly advised to check their journey before travelling on Monday, as the timetable could remain subject to change. Customers delayed by 30 minutes or more may be entitled to compensation, according to the operator. Those who decide not to travel can claim a refund from the original point of purchase.
Earlier on Sunday, CrossCountry told customers it had cancelled “almost all” services in the UK because of the power cut. National Rail later said the service between Peterborough, Cambridge and Stansted Airport would run on Sunday evening. It also confirmed that an hourly service from Birmingham New Street to Leicester and Derby had resumed.
The disruption left some passengers facing overnight stays and uncertain onward journeys. Andy Burton, from Worcester, had been travelling home from Cromford after spending the weekend with family to celebrate his sister’s birthday. His journey ended at Derby after an alternative route through Leicester was also cancelled.
Mr Burton said he had been told there was no alternative train route back to Worcester and was forced to stay in a budget hotel. He said he hoped services from Derby to Birmingham New Street, and then towards Worcester, would resume on Monday, but warned that he might otherwise have to pay for a taxi.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was pleased that some trains were due to operate on Sunday evening and that a full timetable was expected to resume on Monday. She thanked engineers working to reduce the disruption and repeated the advice for passengers to check their journeys before travelling.
Ms Alexander also referred to the government’s plans to establish Great British Railways and nationalise services, including CrossCountry, next year. She said the changes were intended to address fragmentation and vulnerability on the railway network and improve reliability for passengers.
Union calls for review of control centres
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers has called for a review of railway operational control centres following the incident. The RMT said the review should ensure the centres can remain operational during power outages.
RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said passengers and rail workers should not have to experience another week of “travel chaos” because of unreliable back-up systems.
The operator said it would continue working with partner organisations as it prepared for the CrossCountry full service. Passengers were urged to confirm their train details before setting out, particularly those travelling on routes affected by Sunday’s cancellations.
Source: BBC News
