Rail services around Birmingham New Street station were thrown into chaos this morning after the discovery of a dangerous wartime object forced the closure of key lines.
Mortar Discovery Halts Trains
The incident began before 10am on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, when a suspected wartime mortar device was found at the Duddeston Mill Trading Estate in the Washwood Heath area. The location is close to the vital railway infrastructure serving Birmingham New Street, one of the UK's busiest transport hubs.
Train operator CrossCountry was forced to act swiftly, blocking lines to ensure passenger safety. The company took to social media platform X to alert travellers to the developing situation.
Emergency Response and Travel Chaos
A specialist bomb disposal team was quickly dispatched to the scene. To allow them to work safely, authorities implemented a 100-metre no-go zone around the device. This necessary precaution caused significant knock-on effects for the rail network.
CrossCountry's initial warning to passengers was stark. "DISRUPTION: Due to a wartime object being found near the railway at Birmingham New Street some lines are blocked," they posted. "Train services running through this station may be cancelled, delayed or diverted via Lichfield City."
The announcement led to widespread delays and cancellations for CrossCountry services, with many passengers facing uncertain journeys during the morning rush.
Return to Normal Service
Following the successful intervention of the explosive ordnance disposal team, the site was declared safe and cleared. By the afternoon, CrossCountry was able to deliver the good news that services were resuming.
In an update on X, the operator stated: "CLEARED: Following a wartime object being found near the railway at Birmingham New Street, the lines have now reopened. Train services running through this station are now returning to normal."
The swift resolution meant that by late afternoon on January 6, train services through the major station were largely back to their regular schedules, bringing relief to countless commuters and travellers.
