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Preparatory work for the £1.75bn Midlands Rail Hub initiative is poised to begin after the government allocated an additional £123m towards the project.
The ambitious scheme encompasses over 50 stations, with the initial phase set to introduce an extra train service every hour in both directions between central Birmingham and key destinations such as Bristol, Cardiff, Cheltenham, and Worcester.
This initial tranche of funding, redirected from HS2 resources, will facilitate the commencement of design work aimed at accommodating the increased service capacity.
Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, remarked, “The Midlands Rail Hub will deliver substantial benefits to passengers in the region and beyond, so it’s gratifying to be here in Birmingham with Mayor Andy Street to inaugurate this significant project.”
He continued, “Today’s announcement forms part of the government’s strategy to invest in transportation initiatives utilising reallocated HS2 funding, thereby fostering economic growth and fostering stronger connections among communities across the Midlands.”
Moreover, there are plans to extend more London to Birmingham services from Moor Street to Snow Hill station, thereby ensuring that the Chiltern line serves Birmingham’s Snow Hill business district.
Further enhancements include improved accessibility at Kings Norton station and upgrades to platforms at Snow Hill, Moor Street, and Kings Norton stations.
The frequency of trains between Birmingham and Leicester is slated to double from 2 to 4 per hour, with additional services envisaged between Birmingham and Nottingham. Additionally, the new Birmingham to Worcester train services will be extended to Hereford.
Andy Street, Mayor of West Midlands and Chair of the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE), remarked, “The Midlands Rail Hub will herald a transformation in public transport for our region by enhancing capacity on routes to and from central Birmingham, enabling us to offer more services to a wider array of destinations, both locally and nationally.”
He continued, “The Midlands Rail Hub will also pave the way for the establishment of new stations and lines across our network, as well as facilitating quicker travel times into central Birmingham from the forthcoming Camp Hill line stations currently under construction at Moseley Village, Kings Heath, and Pineapple Road.”
“This investment will not only improve connectivity to convenient and rapid public transport services but will also attract additional investment into our region, thereby generating jobs, fostering growth, and enhancing prosperity.”
He concluded, “It’s important to note that this additional funding complements the billions of pounds already secured for transport investment in the West Midlands, which will significantly bolster our efforts to enhance public transport throughout the region, connecting residents to education, training, healthcare, leisure facilities, and employment opportunities.”
The announcement of the Midlands Rail Hub coincides with the launch of the £400m Midlands Engine Investment Fund II by the British Business Bank today.
Pending future decisions, the initial phase of the Rail Hub could be finalised by the early 2030s.
