“Massive” support for Midlands Rail Hub in Lichfield poll

A consumer survey of people in Lichfield has revealed ‘massive and overwhelming’ backing for the region's biggest and most ambitious rail improvement scheme, Midlands Rail Hub.

The latest research carried out by Censuswide for Midlands Connect, demonstrates the appetite for the improvements. 

81% of the 200 people polled said they were supportive of Midlands Rail Hub and 79% of people said more frequent trains, which Midlands Rail Hub delivers would make it more likely that they’d take the train rather than drive.

89% of people said they welcomed plans to boost trains in Lichfield to 4 an hour with just 1.5% saying that they were not at all supportive of the idea. 83% said they think that the 5 million extra seats, created per year, on the Cross City line because of the scheme will benefit commuters at Lichfield and Lichfield Trent Valley.

88% of people questioned thought faster and more frequent trains will help support Lichfield town centre while just 9% did not. 84% thought this would boost the economy and 81% thought it would also mean that firms would employ more people.

78.5% thought this investment will improve local people's access to education by providing better access to universities and colleges in Birmingham and 79% thought this investment will improve local people's experience of the NHS by providing better access to Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Good Hope Hospital.

As part of the plans for the project the Cross City North will benefit as a result of Midlands Rail Hub. As a part of the upgrade the scheme will deliver a 6 trains per hour service through the core of the Cross City Line, with 4 trains per hour starting at Lichfield and 2 trains per hour starting at Four Oaks.

The project will also deliver a jobs boost, with more than 12,750 roles expected to result from the Midlands Rail Hub programme, with construction expected to run from 2025 to 2033.

Midlands Rail Hub is a £1.75bn blueprint for faster, better and more frequent connections across the region.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced she is funding the rail upgrade in the spending review, which sets government budgets for the coming years. The scheme was also mentioned in the recent government 10-year infrastructure strategy.

Andrew Clark, Rail Programme Lead at Midlands Connect said:

“The level of support for Midlands Rail Hub is massive and overwhelming and that is great to see. People understand the critical role faster and more frequent trains play in supporting growth and improving lives of people in places like Lichfield. 

“Lichfield’s local MP Dave Robertson has been a massive champion for the scheme and these results show how much backing the Midlands Rail Hub has in his area. People believe it will make a massive difference by boosting the economy and creating jobs, offering more seats for passengers and improving access to education and health services.

“The scheme will also make a difference to people and allow them to leave their cars at home.”

Dave Robertson, MP for Lichfield, Burntwood and the villages, said:

“It’s great to see how much support the Midlands Rail Hub has in our area.

“This is a massive project which will see more trains running on the Cross City Line between Lichfield and Birmingham. Improved connectivity is vital to growing the local economy and providing more opportunities for people in our area.”

Toby Rackliff, Strategic Lead, Rail Policy, West Midlands Rail Executive said: 

"Restoring 6 trains per hour on the Cross City line is a core priority for West Midlands Rail Executive.  The line provides Lichfield, Sutton Coldfield, Redditch and Bromsgrove with greater employment opportunities and access to key education, healthcare and leisure facilities in and around Birmingham.

"Equally importantly, the Cross City line brings people into Lichfield, which benefits the visitor economy, so it is no surprise that the new survey shows strong support for the train service improvements that Midlands Rail Hub can deliver.”