Commuters across the Midlands faced significant travel chaos during Monday morning's rush hour after severe flooding blocked a key railway line.
Line Blocked Due to Flooding
West Midlands Railway (WMR) confirmed that no services could operate between Rugeley Trent Valley and Walsall following the incident. The disruption, which began on the morning of Monday, 12 January 2026, was caused by flooding on the track between Rugeley Trent Valley and Birmingham New Street stations.
Alternative Travel Arrangements Activated
In response to the blockage, the rail operator swiftly implemented a rail replacement bus service. These buses are running in both directions between Rugeley Trent Valley and Walsall. Additionally, passengers holding valid rail tickets have been advised that they can use them on National Express West Midlands (NXWM) bus services operating between Birmingham and Cannock.
An alert posted on the West Midlands Railway website detailed the situation, stating: "Due to flooding between Rugeley Trent Valley and Birmingham New Street, the line is blocked. Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed."
Expected Duration of Disruption
Initially, it was thought the disruption would clear by around 10:00 am. However, the operator later updated its guidance, indicating that delays and cancellations were expected to persist until approximately 11:00 am.
Passengers have been urged to check live departure boards or use the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner for the latest information on their specific routes. The operator emphasised that tickets would remain valid on the specified replacement road services while the line remains impassable.
