Transport chiefs plan a Midlands rail ‘revolution’
RAIL services across Birmingham and the West Midlands are set for a revolution with journey times slashed and train frequency increasing.
Commuters travelling between the city and other Midlands towns and cities such as Nottingham, Leicester, Hereford and Worcester will also get extra, faster services.
A direct service between Coventry and Leicester will also be reinstated.
Meanwhile, regional transport chiefs have promised to increase the use of freight rail, taking 4,320 lorries off the roads, reducing pollution and congestion.
The 20-year Midlands Rail Hub strategy, called Our Route To Growth, has been drawn up by regional transport agency Midlands Connect in collaboration with Network Rail, train operating companies and Transport for West Midlands.
It says improving rail connections could be worth £649million a year to the regional economy by 2037.
For passengers, the Midlands Rail Hub will DOUBLE the number of trains per hour between Birmingham and Nottingham, Leicester and Hereford, and increase hourly services between Birmingham and Derby from four to six.
A number of journey times will also be reduced. Birmingham to Nottingham will be 50 minutes (currently 69 minutes); Birmingham to Hereford will be 60 minutes (currently 84); Leicester to Coventry will be 35 minutes direct service (currently 48 minutes with a change at Nuneaton).
The report also restates the commitment to reopen the Camp Hill Line to passenger services, including the stations at Hazewell, Kings Heath and Moseley. It also argues for the full reinstatement of the Camp Hill Chords link to achieve that plan.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “These proposals capture the extraordinary economic potential and ambition of the Mid- lands Engine, focused on driving forward growth, creating new jobs and delivering better journeys for passengers across the region.
“This is why the Government has invested £5million to help develop the Midlands Rail Hub.
“It is excellent to see Midlands Connect are committed to maximising the significant benefits to connectivity and capacity HS2 offers, as well as ensuring we capitalise on the biggest modernisation of the rail network since the Victorian era.
“The Government will continue to work with Midlands Connect to develop these proposals to help ensure the region has the transport system it needs for a prosperous future.”
Transport agency Midlands Connect was set up with a key aim of improving the poor public transport links between the East and West Midlands.
Sir John Peace, chairman of Midlands Connect and Midlands Engine, said: “Improving East-West connectivity and access to HS2 services are top priorities for Midlands Connect.
“The Midlands Rail Hub proposals can bring our great towns and cities closer together and accelerate the massive job creation we’re seeing all over the region.”
Sir John Peace