Rail service back on problem line

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."

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
BBC London Travel
Network Rail
Virgin Trains
London Midland
British Chambers of Commerce
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites