VolkerRail, Laing O’Rourke, Atkins Realis and Siemens Mobility have formed the Midlands Rail Hub Alliance to design and develop a huge upgrade for the Midlands rail network.

The project would cost around £1.75bn if completed in full and will help to make journeys better for passengers.

Network Rail will work alongside the new alliance to develop plans and help with the build phase.

Plans include connecting the Chiltern Main Line with the Camp Hill line that runs towards the South West and East Midlands. This will be done by introducing two new chords at Bordesley.

Work is also taking place ot prioritise smaller changes to the railway to improve journeys, including reopening platform 4 at Birmingham Moor Street station so that more Chiltern Railway services can run between Moor Street and London Marylebone.

King’s Norton station will also be redeveloped so that extra Cross City trains can be added, as well as new Midlands Rail Hub services can stop there.

“The Midlands Rail Hub will be transformational for millions of people across the country by improving capacity across the network, allowing more services and better reliability.

“Thanks to £123 million of Government funding we are unlocking jobs opportunities, stimulating housing growth and better connecting our communities, forging ahead with our promise to create modern transport Britain needs and deserves.”

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy