CrossCountry has cancelled almost all of its train services in Great Britain after a power cut in Birmingham hit its control centre on Sunday, causing widespread disruption for thousands of passengers. The operator confirmed that most services are suspended until further notice, affecting key routes across the country.
Impacted Routes and Current Status
The power outage at the Birmingham control centre has forced CrossCountry to halt nearly all operations. Affected routes include major connections such as Glasgow to Edinburgh, Manchester to Birmingham, Cheltenham to Cardiff, and Newcastle to Edinburgh. However, a near normal service is expected between Peterborough, Cambridge, and Stansted Airport, offering some relief for travellers in the East of England.
For passengers stranded between Leicester and Peterborough, a rail replacement bus service is operating to maintain connectivity. The disruption has sparked frustration among commuters and leisure travellers alike, with many taking to social media to express their concerns.
Government and Operator Response
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed concern over the outage, stating: “I am concerned to hear about a power outage affecting CrossCountry rail services today, which I know will be very frustrating to passengers. The service between Peterborough, Cambridge and Stansted is still running.” She added that publicly owned operators have been asked to provide extra services where possible, and Network Rail power teams are onsite working to restore systems quickly.
CrossCountry has advised that tickets for Sunday services can be used with other train operators on the same route, and will remain valid on CrossCountry services until Wednesday 26 August. This flexibility aims to ease the burden on affected passengers.
Alternative Travel Options
Other operators have stepped in to assist. Chiltern Railways has added services between Birmingham Moor Street and Oxford and will accept all CrossCountry tickets “via any reasonable route.” LNER has also implemented measures to accommodate displaced passengers, though details vary by route.
Passengers are urged to check live departure boards and operator websites before travelling, as the situation remains fluid.
Comparison of Affected and Unaffected Services
| Service Type | Examples | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Long-distance intercity | Glasgow-Edinburgh, Newcastle-Edinburgh | Cancelled |
| Regional connections | Manchester-Birmingham, Cheltenham-Cardiff | Cancelled |
| East of England routes | Peterborough-Cambridge-Stansted | Near normal |
| Replacement bus | Leicester-Peterborough | Running |
Key Takeaways for Passengers
- Most CrossCountry services are cancelled until further notice.
- Tickets valid on other operators and until August 26 on CrossCountry.
- Check alternative routes via Chiltern Railways and LNER.
- Stay updated via National Rail Enquiries and operator apps.
FAQ
FAQ
Are all CrossCountry trains cancelled?
Not all. Services between Peterborough, Cambridge, and Stansted Airport are running near normal, but most other routes are cancelled until further notice.
Can I use my CrossCountry ticket on other trains?
Yes, tickets for Sunday services are accepted by other operators on the same route, and remain valid on CrossCountry until Wednesday 26 August.
What should I do if my train is cancelled?
Check live departure boards, use alternative operators like Chiltern Railways or LNER, and consider rail replacement buses where available.