West Midlands Trains to play major role in 2022 Commonwealth Games

The 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia and their Gold Coast are coming to an end, West Midlands Trains have made a further pledge to make sure Birmingham 2022 is a success.

Last year, the Midlands city was named as host for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Sporting events will be held in Birmingham. This means providing efficient options for travel between venues will be highly important. Plans are already underway to make sure this happens.

West Midlands Trains is now working closely with Transport for West Midlands, West Midlands Combined Authority and Birmingham City Council to make a transport strategy to help the games spectators get to their destinations.

Before the games start in 2022, West Midlands Trains and their passengers will see a £1 billion raft of new improvements across the region. These include new trains and more capacity on the Cross City line by 2021, an improved frequency of trains on Sunday in and around Birmingham and major electrification works across the network.

Many stations have also been earmarked for improvement including a rebuild of Perry Barr, which will serve the Athletes Village and the Alexander Stadium. Major upgrade works at University and other improvements at stations across the network will be seen before the games.

Seven new stations have been proposed to be opened, subject to feasibility assessments, proposed sites include:

Darlaston
Willenhall
Kings Heath
Moseley
Hazelwell
Merry Hill
West Midlands Safari Park.

What did the officials say?

Richard Brooks, customer experience director at West Midlands Railway, said:

“This is an incredibly exciting time for Birmingham and the West Midlands in general. People from across the world will be coming to our city to enjoy the Games and cheer on the athletes.

“Mobility is going to be central to the Games’ success and we want to make every possible effort to help people travel in and around the city and venues. The improvements we have planned in the run-up to 2022 are going to transform rail travel in the West Midlands and we’re dedicated to offering visitors a service which is convenient, seamless and value for money.”