TWO power blackouts hit Birmingham New Street at the weekend, and one of the failures meant that the station had to close for more than half an hour, with no trains stopping. Network Rail said a flood in an electrical control room was to blame.

The first of the failures was at 19.00 on Friday, although emergency lighting came on immediately. By 22.00 portable lighting equipment had been brought to the scene. There was some disruption of train services during the evening but the station stayed open throughout.

However, a second failure at 09.00 on Saturday was more serious, and the platforms and concourse were left without any power. The station was closed for 35 minutes while generators were connected.

Network Rail could not comment on a report that the flood was connected with the start of work on the Birmingham Gateway project, and emphasised that track circuits and signalling had remained unaffected.

It did say that three emergency generators will be kept at the station for the time being, in case there are further problems.