CrossCountry train cancellations have hit passengers across Britain after a power cut at the operator’s Birmingham control centre forced most services to be withdrawn on Sunday, 23 August. Travellers are being urged to check their journey before setting off, with alternative ticket arrangements, refunds and compensation available to those affected.
The power failure affected the building housing CrossCountry’s control centre, leaving staff without access to several systems needed to manage trains safely across its long-distance network.
National Rail said the incident was reported at 1.47am on Sunday and confirmed in its 10.44am update that CrossCountry was unable to operate most of its services because of the failure at its headquarters.
The disruption affects routes linking major cities and regions across England, Scotland and Wales. CrossCountry normally runs services through Birmingham connecting destinations including Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Reading and the South Coast.
The incident follows other periods of disruption on Britain’s railways. New Daily Prime previously reported how cable theft disrupted UK train services and affected CrossCountry passengers during the New Year period.
Most CrossCountry routes affected
CrossCountry said services on almost all of its routes would be withdrawn until further notice on Sunday.
The main exception is the route between Peterborough, Cambridge and Stansted Airport, where the operator said a near-normal service was expected. A planned rail replacement bus service between Leicester and Peterborough is also continuing.
The company warned passengers to expect “significant disruption” and said its travel information would be updated as the situation developed.
National Rail also warned that information displayed on CrossCountry’s own website might not always show the latest position because of the problems affecting the operator’s systems. Passengers have therefore been advised to use National Rail journey information before travelling.
The disruption is significant because CrossCountry provides long-distance links without requiring many passengers to travel through London. Its network connects cities across the Midlands, northern England, Scotland, Wales and the South West.
Problems affecting a central control centre can have a wide impact because staff use operational systems to manage services, respond to delays and make changes when trains cannot run as scheduled.
Britain’s rail network has faced several serious disruptions in recent months. New Daily Prime also reported on a UK train collision in Bedford that left a driver dead and passengers seriously injured, although that incident was unrelated to Sunday’s power failure.
What happens to tickets and refunds?
Passengers who bought CrossCountry tickets for Sunday, 23 August, can use them on other train operators serving the same route, subject to the arrangements put in place for the disruption.
CrossCountry said tickets dated for Sunday would also remain valid on its own services until Wednesday, 26 August, giving passengers more flexibility if they decide to postpone their journey.
Anyone delayed by at least 30 minutes may be able to apply for Delay Repay, the rail industry compensation scheme that pays eligible passengers when journeys are significantly delayed.
Passengers who decide not to travel because of the disruption can seek a refund from the retailer where they bought their ticket. CrossCountry said affected customers should contact their original point of purchase.
The disruption comes as the Government continues to face pressure to improve the reliability and resilience of Britain’s transport system. New Daily Prime has previously reported on plans for major investment in transport infrastructure across northern England, the Midlands and the South West.
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