Major train disruption has hit Birmingham after the discovery of an unexploded wartime bomb near a key railway line. Services from Birmingham New Street to Tamworth and Nuneaton have been brought to a standstill.
Bomb Discovery and Police Response
The incident began on Tuesday morning, 6 January 2026, when police were alerted to the discovery of an old mortar device. Officers from West Midlands Police were called to the Duddeston Mill Trading Estate in Washwood Heath shortly before 9.45am.
An immediate evacuation was carried out and a 100-metre exclusion zone was established around the site. Specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams were dispatched to assess and safely deal with the historic device.
Widespread Rail Disruption
The safety cordon directly impacts the railway line at Duddeston, causing significant knock-on effects for train services. According to traffic monitoring service Inrix, all CrossCountry services between Birmingham New Street and both Nuneaton in Warwickshire and Tamworth in Staffordshire are at a standstill.
Passengers using services like The Trainline app have received alerts stating delays are due to "a wartime bomb discovered near the railway". The disruption is expected to continue until the bomb disposal unit can bring the situation to a safe conclusion.
Official Statements and Ongoing Impact
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police confirmed the incident is self-contained within the trading estate site but acknowledged the impact on rail travel. "Rail services will be impacted while this is brought to a safe conclusion," the spokesperson stated.
Commuters and travellers are advised to check with their train operator for the latest information and to seek alternative routes where possible. The disruption highlights the ongoing legacy of wartime ordnance and its potential to impact modern infrastructure and travel plans.
