Cross City Line suspended after ‘person struck by train’ at station

Google Maps street view of Chester Road Railway Station in Sutton Coldfield
-Credit: (Image: Google)


A section of a busy commuter railway line in Birmingham had to be shut after a person was struck by a train. The incident took place at Chester Road station in Sutton Coldfield at around 1.30pm on Tuesday (September 10).

Emergency services were called to the scene. A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “We are currently at the scene of an incident at the train station on Chester Road in Boldmere following a call at 1.27pm.

“An ambulance, two paramedic officers, a MERIT [Medical Emergency Response Intervention Team] trauma doctor and critical care paramedic are in attendance.”

Read more: Three arrested following fracas at under-10s football match

West Midlands Railway has confirmed the northern section of the Cross City Line between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent valley, including all stations in Aston, Erdington and Sutton Coldfield, has been suspended.

The firm posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, shortly after the incident. It said: “Emergency Service Incident - Chester Road. Services between B'ham New Street - Four Oaks/ Lichfield City will be delayed or cancelled. RR [rail replacement] is being ordered between Sutton Coldfield - Lichfield TV [Trent Valley], ticket acceptance in place with NX [National Express] Buses between B'ham - Sutton.”

A spokesman for West Midlands Railway told BirminghamLive: “Emergency services are currently at Chester Road station after a report of a person being struck by a train at approximately 1.30pm. The Cross City Line is currently suspended between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley until further notice. Ticket acceptance is in place with local buses.

“Passengers are advised to check their journeys before setting out and follow our social media and website for the latest information.” Shortly before 3pm, the rail company confirmed the line had reopened. It posted: "Emergency Service Incident - Chester Road. The line is now reopen and services are beginning to run through again. Residual delay may occur as service recovery commences."

Both British Transport Police and West Midlands Police have been contacted for a statement.