THE opening date for the new Bromsgrove train station has been delayed until this summer, after developers discovered a large trench running across the site that was not visible on the original plans.

Network Rail tweeted videos and photographs of the "soon-to-be complete" station in April, but say the discovery of the culvert earlier on in the process halted the build temporarily, causing delays.

In March last year, residents were told the station was on track to open in November 2015.

Richard Dugdale, senior sponsor for Network Rail, said: "We are sorry to confirm the opening of the new Bromsgrove station this spring will not happen as planned.

“We have done everything to open the station by this time but regrettably this will not be possible."

Other issues they say set back the station's spring opening include a significant land contamination caused by a former petrochemical site directly below the station.

This has now been resolved and the culvert has been removed and filled.

Mr Dugdale added: “We continue to work with our partners Worcestershire County Council, Centro and London Midland to open the new station as soon as we can.

“In the meantime passengers can continue to use the existing station and will be given a minimum of two weeks' notice before the new station opens."

Network Rail say the build is 99 per cent complete, but there are still finishing touches to be made.

The company say an announcement on the revised opening date will be made as soon as possible.