Bridge crash causes Staffordshire rail disruption
Rail services through Staffordshire were cancelled or delayed after a railway bridge was struck by a vehicle.
The bridge over the West Coast Main Line at Worston Lane, near Stafford, was hit during Thursday afternoon, leaving a visible crack on the wall. CrossCountry and London Northwestern services through Stafford, Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe were delayed or diverted as a result of the damage. National Rail reported normal service had resumed by Friday at 17:00 GMT. Engineers made the bridge and surrounding area safe before repairs began, Network Rail said. CrossCountry trains said a 20mph speed restriction was put in place and its services between Birmingham New Street, Bournemouth, Southampton Central, Exeter and Manchester Piccadilly were affected. Services delivered by London Northwestern Railway between London Euston and Crewe, and between Birmingham New Street and Liverpool Lime Street were also experiencing disruption as were Virgin Trains between London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly, Crewe, Liverpool Lime Street and Scotland. Passengers were advised to check their routes before travelling. During the disruption, tickets could be used on other trains and buses, Network Rail had said. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone.