Vandalism likely cause of disruption at Birmingham New Street

Vandalised cables

Vandalism is said to be the likely cause of rail disruption experienced at Birmingham New Street station yesterday (11 April).

Vandalised cables

Network Rail has announced the likely cause of disruption affecting customers travelling in and out of Birmingham on the 11 April 2016 was vandalism.

Burnt and cut cables at junction south of Birmingham New Street station

Network Rail pictures show apparent attempts to burn and cut cables powering signals at Proof House junction, south of Birmingham New Street station.

The actions resulted in signal failure during the early hours of the morning which caused major disruption to thousands of passenger journeys.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “Early indications are that foul play caused today’s (11 April) signalling failure. As well as putting their lives at risk, railway trespassers and vandals can face fines and prison sentences.

“Thousands of people were delayed getting to work today. The cost to the industry will run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.  This is taxpayers’ money which could have been invested in improving the railway.”

Train services in and out of the south side of Birmingham New Street station resumed around 9.15am on the day of the incident with services slowly returning to normal.