Cows on the West Coast Mainline cause major delays to trains

Rail passengers are being warned of disruption for much of Tuesday after a herd of cows wandered on to one of the country’s busiest railway lines.

The West Coast Main Line was blocked in Staffordshire between Lichfield Trent Valley and Rugeley Trent Valley from just before 09:00 BST, according to National Rail Enquiries.

The issue was causing delays and cancellations for Avanti West Coast and Lumo services between London Euston and Scotland, as well as London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway services.

The lines have since reopened but passengers were warned to expect disruption until at least 16:00.

Tickets were being accepted on some alternative routes and road transport was also being provided, officials said.

The line is one of the busiest in the country, as it heads from London, through the West Midlands and Manchester and then on to Scotland.

There were difficulties contacting the farmer responsible for the animals, according to the Press Association.

Many affected passengers expressed their frustration on social media, with one posting to Avanti West Coast to say they had been stuck on a train that had “not moved for three hours”, while another complained they were only offered one 330ml bottle of water, adding: “I’m sure your shop is doing great business.”