Rail service back on problem line

Trains services have resumed in and out of London Euston

Rail services are returning to normal on the West Coast Main Line after nearly a week of disruption.

A fallen power cable halted trains to and from London Euston on Wednesday in the sixth successive day of problems.

Services have resumed at Euston and Network Rail said it expected a full or near-full service on the line.

The line was previously hit by overhead cable problems in Warwickshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire and a plane crash near Stafford.

On Tuesday night overhead power cables hit a train at Kenton in north-west London, leading to disruption for thousands of commuters on Wednesday.

'Failed to deliver'

A Network Rail spokesman said: "Repairs have gone well, and we expect a good service."

Disruption on the line has led to 70% of Virgin services running late since the start of the year.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said the line's recent £9bn upgrade was completed in haste, leading to a string of problems.

BCC director general David Frost said: "Businesses have lost a staggering £38m in just three days because Network Rail have again failed to adequately deliver."

A Network Rail spokesman said a "full investigation" was being carried out into the cause of all the problems.

Transport Minister Andrew Adonis said: "I completely sympathise with passengers whose journeys have been a nightmare.

"Passengers whose trains have been cancelled are entitled to refunds or compensation and I expect this to be provided."