The West Midlands Rail Executive has unveiled a draft strategy to change rail services across the West Midlands.
It has launched a consultation for the strategy which will change train services over the next 30 years.
In this Rail Investment Strategy, the WMRE has set out both medium and long-term proposals for developing services.
Many improvements are already announced by operator West Midlands Railways.
The consultation is open until noon on Monday, November 19, 2018.
The strategy has seven main components, these are:
West Midlands Trains franchise quick wins: 2018-2026
Working with the West Midlands Railway franchise, West Midlands Rail Executive has said they will deliver a range of improvements, including cross-Birmingham connectivity, better Sunday and evening services, new Camp Hill and Walsall-Wolverhampton services, new stations, more train capacity and reliable performance.
High frequency ‘6-4-2' rail services
These will be a minimum standards of six, four and two trains per hour at stations.
Midlands Rail Hub: 2026-2032
Maximising the use of additional capacity delivered by the Midlands Rail Hub scheme, developed in partnership with Midlands Connect.
Our high growth rail corridors: 2018-2032
Developing the high-growth corridors set to see the greatest economic and population growth to 2032 and which can benefit most from new and enhanced connectivity.
High Speed 2: 2026 and 2033
Support the delivery of both stages of HS2 in 2026 and 2033.
Radical change towards 2047
Starting work now to identify the radical infrastructure change needed after delivery of HS2 and the Midlands Rail Hub.
Supporting rail-freight development and growth
Supporting both the freight industry throughout the West Midlands
What did the officials say?
Cllr Roger Lawrence, chair of WMRE and leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, said
“Rail is vital to the West Midlands. Our draft strategy outlines how we plan to deliver better rail services across the whole region over the next thirty years.
“The strategy will support the exciting regeneration and growth plans that exist across all our partner authorities, recognising the role that rail plays in connecting people, communities and businesses.”
Malcolm Holmes, executive director, WMRE, said
“Our Strategy shapes the new era for rail travel by West Midlanders. It evidences our ambitious plans to work together with Midlands Connect and the rail industry to transform the train services and physical network to support the needs of the region.”
Laura Shoaf, managing director, Transport for West Midlands, said
“I am delighted to see the launch of this 30 year strategy for consultation. This presents ambitious proposals for driving forward rail service improvements across the West Midlands.
“Investment in our services and network will help make sure that our infrastructure is ready for the growth created by HS2 and creates a transformed rail network to support living, working and investing in our region.”
Maria Machancoses, director, Midlands Connect said
“We are proud to support this strategy which, alongside our own wider regional vision, will make sure passenger and freight services are transformed for decades to come.
“The Midlands is experiencing a rail revolution, with an unprecedented level of collaboration across the region. Passenger services are improving, and HS2 will put the Midlands at the heart of the national network.
“But this is just the start; with demand for rail travel growing faster here than in London or the North West, it's important we work together with WMRE and other partners to make sure there is a long term plan for the region's rail network.”
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Not forgetting West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway have ordered new trains that are due to enter service from next year and from 2020-onwards.
Including:
Class 230 DEMU LNWR for Marston Vale Line (Bletchley-Bedford) to replace the Class 153 and Class 150
Class 172 Turbostar cascaded from London Overground to West Midlands Railway to operate on Coventry-Nuneaton and Coventry-Leamington Spa and to replace the Class 153 and Class 150
Class 196 Civity DMU for WMT to replace the Class 170 Turbostar
Class 730 Aventra EMU for WMT and LNWR to replace the Class 323 and Class 350/2 Desiro
It’s a shame that LNWR are to replace the Siemens 4-Car Class 350/2s Desiro units with the Bombardier Aventra Class 730s. But Porterbrook are planning ahead to convert the Class 350/2 Desiro EMUs into BEMU (Battery-electric multiple units).
If that happens. Then Bombardier could convert the Class 379 Electrostars into BEMU or as it was known as IPEMU (Indepently Powered Electric Multiple Unit). As Class 379 “379013” was been used as a test train back in 2015 as batteries were fitted onto the Class 379 Electrostar and it operated on the Manningtree-Harwich Town line for at least a year.