An eight-week consultation has opened for proposals by the Midlands Rail Hub Alliance for a major upgrade to railways around Birmingham.

The Midlands Rail Hub is designed to deliver faster, better, and more frequent journeys in the region, boost economic growth, create regeneration opportunities, and improve access to HS2 at Curzon Street.

An additional benefit will be that better integration between the railway, buses and trams will improve journeys by public transport across the West Midlands.

During the consultation, views and comments will be sought on plans to upgrade the railway and transform Birmingham Moor Street station he trains that use it.

The plan for the Midlands Rail Hub envisages the construction of two new sections of railway to connect the Camp Hill line with the Chiltern Main Line, to enable a large increase in the number of trains that Birmingham Moor Street can handle.

Other changes would see the widening of parts of the Bordesley viaduct, which runs through Digbeth to Birmingham Moor Street, two new platforms at Moor Street station, and the existing platform 5 brought back into use.

To reduce congestion at Birmingham New Street, some regional train services will be transferred from New Street to Moor Street, to enable New Street to handle more local and long-distance services.

Improvements to service will include three additional trains per hour to towns and cities southwest of Birmingham, two additional Cross City line trains per hour, and four additional trains per hour towards the East Midlands.

The consultation runs until Friday, 28th August, and includes drop-in sessions and a webinar at:

• The Old Library at Zellig, Gibb Street, Digbeth, on Saturday, 11th July, from 11 am – 4 pm:
• The Saffron Centre, 256 Moseley Road, Birmingham, on Monday, 13th July, from 4 pm – 8 pm;
• Online via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday, 15th July, from 12 pm – 1 pm, pre-registration is required at [email protected];
• Birmingham Repertory Theatre, 6 Centenary Square, Birmingham, on Friday, 17th July, from 12 pm – 6.30 pm.

“These proposals represent a key element of the wider vision for the Midlands Rail Hub and its transformational potential to enable growth, improved connectivity, and opportunities for millions of people. “The consultation we are launching today is an opportunity for the residents, businesses and communities of Birmingham to gain early insights into the proposals, speak to the team who are driving this forward and, most importantly, to provide their views and feedback to shape our detailed plans.”

Mark Cuzner, Director, Midlands Rail Hub Alliance