Welsh Marches line blocked after train hits tractor

There is major disruption on the Welsh Marches line after a train hit a tractor at a level crossing near Leominster.

The line remains blocked between Hereford and Shrewsbury.

Transport for Wales (TfW) said services had been stopped after the 08:30 from Manchester Piccadilly struck the vehicle on a crossing between Ludlow and Leominster.

TfW said it was sourcing road transport for affected passengers.

In a statement, West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called to an incident on the railway track at Nordan Farm, Leominster at 10.46am. We currently have an ambulance, five paramedic officers, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham at the scene.”  

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service told Sunshine Radio: “We were called at 10:52 on 22 May to an incident with a train, consisting of five carriages and carrying 66 people in collision with an agricultural trailer unit near Orleton.

“Six people have been handed over to the care of the ambulance service with minor injuries. Police are also in attendance, as are Network Rail. There is no fire and the train was not derailed but there will be some disruption to the line.”

National Rail said it expected no trains between Hereford and Craven Arms with disruption expected until 7pm.

Rail passengers can use their tickets onboard the following services at no extra cost:

• Avanti West Coast between Crewe and Manchester Piccadilly

• CrossCountry between Cardiff Central and Bristol Parkway, and between Bristol Parkway and Manchester Piccadilly

• Great Western Railway between Cardiff Central and Bristol Parkway

• London Northwestern Railway between Birmingham New Street and Crewe via Wolverhampton

• Northern between Crewe and Manchester Piccadilly

• West Midlands Railway between Hereford and Birmingham New Street, and also between Birmingham New Street and Shrewsbury