AN investigation is underway after damage was caused to cables along a stretch of railway line, with the resultant signalling issues causing major delays for commuters.

Vandals had reportedly attempted to steal cabling in the Bromsgrove area overnight on Monday, which affected trains between Hereford and Birmingham yesterday.

Network Rail and the British Transport Police launched an investigation into the damage caused to the line, which had reportedly led to a track fire.

A spokesman for the railway network manager said: “Cables, which are essential for the safe running of the railway, were damaged in the Bromsgrove area overnight on Monday.

“This affected trains on Tuesday and we are working to complete repairs as quickly as possible.

“The cause of the damage is unknown at this stage, but we are working with British Transport Police. Passengers should check with National Rail Enquiries for the latest information.”

A BTP spokesman said officers were called to the scene around 4am, following reports of cable burning, and officers are making enquiries to establish the cause of the cable burning and whether it was deliberate.

Cross City Line trains between Bromsgrove and Birmingham were cancelled on Tuesday due to the signalling issues which had a knock-on effect for longer-distance Hereford-Worcester-Bromsgrove-Birmingham.

Where possible, trains that would normally start from Bromsgrove, started from Longbridge, however, some were cancelled. Road transport was arranged to run between Droitwich and Longbridge, calling at Bromsgrove and Barnt Green.

Trains between Redditch and Birmingham were running as normal.