Emergency services responded to a major incident near Five Ways train station on September 26, 2026, causing widespread rail cancellations and severe disruption across routes connected to Birmingham New Street. According to National Rail, the emergency response closed all lines between University and Birmingham New Street.
Rail Service Disruptions and Cancellations
Trains running between Birmingham New Street and Bromsgrove, Redditch, and Hereford were subjected to immediate cancellation after the unknown incident was reported just after 9pm. National Rail confirmed that major problems affected the route, with disruption expected to continue until the end of the day. Services faced cancellations, revisions, or delays of up to 60 minutes while emergency crews completed their work at the scene.
Alternative Travel and Ticket Acceptance
Rail replacement transport was deployed to assist stranded passengers following the line closures. National Rail announced that replacement coaches were ordered to run between Worcester stations and Longbridge, as well as between Sutton Coldfield and Lichfield stations. Affected passengers were permitted to use their tickets at no extra cost on National Express West Midlands services operating between Longbridge and Four Oaks via Birmingham New Street.
Did you know? You can check real-time updates and plan alternative routes using the National Rail Journey Planner when major incidents impact West Midlands rail networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which train routes were affected by the Five Ways incident?
Services between Birmingham New Street and Bromsgrove, Redditch, and Hereford experienced major cancellations and delays.
Are tickets valid on other transport providers during the disruption?
Yes, passengers can use their rail tickets at no extra cost on National Express West Midlands buses between Longbridge and Four Oaks via Birmingham New Street.
How long is the disruption expected to last?
National Rail stated that disruption on the affected routes was expected to continue until the end of the day.
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