Sunak urged to accelerate £2 billion Midlands Rail Hub
The Midlands Rail Hub has been described as a “nationally critical project” that must feature prominently in the Government’s Integrated Rail Plan.
In a letter sent to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak on February 4, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and Chairman of Midlands Connect and Midlands Engine Sir John Peace urged the acceleration of the project, claiming that the first elements could be delivered within three years.
“We believe this is a pivotal year for rail investment in the Midlands,” they wrote.
“Midlands Connect has worked very closely with its partners, including West Midlands Rail Executive and Network Rail, to outline a proposed schedule of Midlands Rail Hub upgrades between 2024 and 2033.
“However, we want to be ambitious and bring forward the early deliverables of this scheme as it strongly aligns with your commitment to build back better as well as levelling up rail investment in the Midlands.
“In short, we could deliver the rail hub upgrades before the first HS2 train even arrives at Curzon Street, giving your Government a major proof point of building back better.”
Once complete, the £2 billion scheme would create 20 paths every hour through the centre of
Birmingham, enhancing east-west links across the region, as well as enabling the reintroduction of direct services between Coventry, Leicester and Nottingham.
Two new ‘chords’ would be constructed serving Birmingham Moor Street, while new signalling systems and platform upgrades are also required. The letter states that the plans would create space to move 4,320 lorries’ worth of freight from road to rail each day.
These improvements would also bring 1.6 million more people within an hour of the region’s biggest towns and cities via public transport, the letter states.
Co-written by Peace and
Street, the letter tells Sunak: “As you’ll be aware, investment in infrastructure is not just about faster and more frequent trains,
Source: Midlands Connect. it’s also an enabler and catalyst for growing the economy regionally and nationally. Along with creating six million more passenger journeys every year, the Midlands Rail Hub will create an estimated annual economic boost of £649 million.”
The first elements of the scheme include reopening a platform at Birmingham Snow Hill, to allow more trains to serve the station. Subject to funding, this could be delivered by 2024.
“Pushing ahead with this project really is a no-brainer - it will reduce emissions, get more people using public transport, and support the creation of new jobs,” said Street.
“I’m also excited what it could do for local services - allowing us to run more trains along the Camp Hill line to Moseley, Kings Heath and Stirchley once we reopen these stations to passengers.
“Both the Prime Minister and Chancellor have spoken about the need to accelerate transport projects to deliver benefits sooner. The Midlands Rail Hub is a perfect candidate for Project Speed. The benefits are numerous, the sums stack up, now we need to get cracking.”
Peace said there are huge opportunities available for the Midlands region, but he warned they cannot be exploited without a united plan.
“We must welcome passengers back onto our rail network in greater numbers than ever before once lockdown restrictions are lifted. An investment in the Midlands Rail Hub will demonstrate that the Chancellor is serious about levelling up the UK regions, decarbonising our transport network and tackling climate change,” he said.