Rail disruption continues after bridge collapse

Rail passengers are being warned of continued disruption on the West Coast Main Line through Warwickshire on Friday, after a railway bridge partially collapsed when it was hit by a lorry.

The crash happened on Thursday, on Marston Lane in Whitestone, Nuneaton, causing the road to be closed between Forders Lane and Nuneaton Road. It blocked the core railway line, which runs between London and Scotland via the West Midlands.

In an update on Friday, National Rail said the lines between Nuneaton and Rugby have reopened, but trains were running at a reduced speed and might still be cancelled, revised or delayed by up to 10 minutes.

Disruption was expected until at least 12:00 BST, they added.

Network Rail said the bridge was "seriously damaged" in the incident but confirmed no-one was injured.

Passengers were advised to check their routes before travelling and to allow extra time for their journeys.

The West Coast Main Line runs from London Euston to Glasgow Central and Edinburgh, with stations including Manchester Piccadilly, Wolverhampton, Birmingham New Street, Coventry and Milton Keynes along the route.

The bridge collapse affects both Avanti West Coast and London Northwestern Railway services, National Rail added.

A spokesperson confirmed tickets dated for Thursday could be used on services on Friday.

They added that, if passengers no longer wished to travel due to their train being delayed or cancelled, they could request a full refund from where they bought their tickets.

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