Midlands Rail Hub: Project will deliver over 200 extra trains a week to Royal Town

Sutton Coldfield MP Sir Andrew Mitchell discussed the Midlands Rail Hub with Midlands Connect and rail chiefs and how it could deliver over 200 extra trains per week through key local stations in his constituency.

As part of the Midlands Rail Hub, two in each direction, per hour stopping at Chester Road, Wylde Green, Sutton Coldfield and Four Oaks, which will create 5.4 million new seats each year for passengers. This will allow is to improve services by bringing the cross-city line back to the pre-pandemic levels. The upgrade will deliver a ‘turn up and go’ London-style service with trains arriving at stations every ten minutes.

The project will also deliver a jobs boost, more than 12,750 roles, including up to 300 apprenticeships are expected to result from the Midlands Rail Hub programme

The project was recently mentioned in the Comprehensive Spending Review by the Chancellor who said:

“I can announce today that I am providing funding for the Midlands Rail Hub the region’s biggest and most ambitious rail improvement scheme for generations strengthening connections from Birmingham, across the West Midlands and into Wales.” The scheme was also mentioned in the 10-year infrastructure strategy as a major project.

Mike Bull, Strategy and Programme Director at Midlands Connect said:

 “It was great to meet Sir Andrew and brief him on the current plans and show him how our work will deliver real benefits for his area and his constituents. We are working at pace to finish the Full Business Case and deliver these much-needed upgrades to the Royal Town and other stations in his constituency. Sir Andrew has been a supporter of the Midlands Rail Hub scheme so it was fantastic to show how much progress has been made.

“Creating a service every ten minutes for thousands of passengers in Birmingham is a key part of the Midlands Rail Hub. It will make commuting easier and create a turn-up-and-go service. We can do this due to the extra capacity that the Midlands Rail Hub creates.”