Rail lines reopen between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street after disruption caused by trespasser

West Midlands Railway said that lines between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street were blocked at around 8.45am on Friday.

It said services running between these stations would be cancelled or delayed, with rail tickets being accepted on National Express buses and the Metro.

One passenger told how she had to end her rail journey from Birmingham home to Wolverhampton at Smethwick Galton Bridge and find a way home after a busy night shift. She said: "We were told that there was a trespasser on the line and that the train couldn't take us any further. I was just on my way home after a busy night shift at a hospital. I'm working again tonight. It's causing a lot of disruption."

In a later update at around 10am, the regional rail operator said the line had reopened but said congestion and delays were still expected.

Avanti West Coast also warned of delays as a result of trespassers on the line which has blocked "some lines" between Wolverhampton and Sandwell and Dudley.

In a statement to its website, the rail operator said trains running between the two stations could be delayed by up to 30 minutes and diverted, with disruption expected until 9.45am.

It advised passengers: "If your journey's delayed 15 minutes or more, you can claim compensation at delayrepay.avantiwestcoast.co.uk

"If your train is cancelled, your ticket is valid on one of the two Avanti West Coast services immediately before your booked train, or one of the two immediately after.

"If you no longer wish to travel because your train's delayed or cancelled, you can request a full refund from where you bought your ticket."