Cost of New Street rail vandalism to run to "hundreds of thousands of pounds"
VANDALS have been blamed for the signalling problem that caused chaos for rail users on Monday morning.
Trains using Birmingham New Street were cancelled or had major delays as Network Rail sought to fix the problem.
The rail operator has released images which appear to show attempts to burn and cut cables powering signals at Proof House junction, south of Birmingham New Street station.
A Network Rail spokesman said: “Early indications are that foul play caused today’s signalling failure. As well as putting their lives at risk, railway trespassers and vandals can face fines and prison sentences.
“Thousands of people were delayed getting to work today. The cost to the industry will run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. This is taxpayers’ money which could have been invested in improving the railway.”
Train services in and out of the south side of Birmingham New Street station resumed around 9.15am after repairs were made, however many routes continued to be hit by long delays and normal services were not resumed until after 4.30pm.
