Replacement buses form Games contingency plan

THE Government has set aside more than £4 million to fund a fleet of coaches as part of contingency plans to minimise disruption should industrial action on the railways affect next month’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

With more than a million people expected to converge on the city for the Games, which take place on July 28-August 8, negotiations with several transport operators are taking place to secure rail replacement services.

The coaches, which will be operated commercially, are expected to run regardless of whether there are strikes.

Up-front costs will be covered from the Commonwealth Games transport budget and offset by income from fare-paying passengers.

It’s expected that there will be more than 100,000 rail trips on the busiest days of the tournament, with 40% of people attending the Games expected to travel to and from events by train.

In a statement, Transport for West Midlands said: “The plans are being put in place to ensure that visitors from across the country, and indeed across the world, will be able to come to Birmingham 2022 and enjoy everything the city and Commonwealth Games has to offer.”

Despite the threat of more strikes, transport bosses are still urging visitors to use public transport to travel to Birmingham and the West Midlands - and have pledged that there will be sufficient capacity for them to do so.

The continued industrial action on the railways potentially threatens to derail a transport plan for the Games that has taken more than two years to put together (RAIL 960).

Perry Barr station (close to the Alexander Stadium) has been rebuilt. And in a Commonwealth Games first, tickets for events include the cost of local travel by public transport to the venue.

However, the continued rail strike isn’t the only threat to travel during the Games. West Midlands Metro is still operating on a reduced service after cracks were found on its fleet of Spanish-built trams. Repair work is continuing, but Transport for West Midlands has said it remains confident that a full service - including on a new extension to Edgbaston - will be operating by the end of July.

It has also emerged that a new building being constructed to replace the overcrowded University station won’t be ready in time for the Games. Instead, the existing platforms will be widened with new canopies and a new public realm space will be available. The new facilities will provide increased space for people to wait, queue and board the trains.

“The schedule was always going to be tight to be fully open for the Commonwealth Games, and issues such as the COVID pandemic and some improvements to the design added further time to the project.,” said Malcolm Holmes, Executive Director, West Midlands Railway Executive.

“But what we have is a Gamesready station, including more space and extra capacity for spectators. Our regular passengers and commuters can look forward to using fantastic new station buildings later this year.”

Meanwhile, Network Rail is promising improved services into Birmingham Moor Street during the Games, after the completion of updated trackwork in the Tyseley area. The new sections of track give more reliable access for trains in and out of the nearby train depot, which is an important site for operators West Midlands Railway and CrossCountry.

“These upgrades will improve journeys across the wider West Midlands, providing passengers with an efficient, cleaner and more reliable railway throughout our major summer of sport,” said Network Rail Central Route Director Denise Wetton.

“The work will also help to reduce the risk of station platforms becoming overcrowded as a result of the predicted one million extra passenger journeys during the Commonwealth Games.”

NR has also unveiled special branding at three of Birmingham’s biggest stations. The Games logo will help kick-start the excitement for passengers and spectators ahead of arriving at sports venues, while teams of station staff and volunteers will be on hand to provide everyone with a warm welcome.

Trains and stations across the West Midlands are expected to be very busy during the Games. Network Rail has warned that as well as the three main stations in Birmingham, stations outside the city centre - including Birmingham International, Perry Barr, University and Leamington Spa - are also expected to be much busier.