Investment delivers a better railway between Barnt Green and Redditch.
The railway between Barnt Green and Redditch reopened this week following an eight-week closure to improve services and facilities for passengers.
Normal services resumed on Monday 1st September after Network Rail built a new section of railway in the Alvechurch area and improved facilities and accessibility at Alvechurch station.
The new three kilometre section of railway – which has created a passing loop for trains – will allow London Midland to run three services an hour to run between Barnt Green and Redditch in both directions from December, rather than the two per hour which currently operate. Alvechurch station has also benefitted from a new platform as well as a new bridge and lifts to provide step-free access for passengers.
The improvements are part of a £100 million investment package in the railway in north Worcestershire which also includes electrification, linespeed improvements and a new station at Bromsgrove.
To thank those affected by the recent closure for their patience, London Midland and Network Rail were at Redditch, Barnt Green and Alvechurch stations this morning, talking to passengers and handing out free breakfast snacks. Liam Sumpter, area director for Network Rail, said: “The completion of this work is the first significant phase of the £100m improvement package being delivered across north Worcestershire.
“The additional train in each direction will mean passengers travelling between Redditch and Barnt Green – and on the Cross City line generally – will benefit from a much improved service while passengers using Alvechurch station have much better access and facilities. As an industry we are committed to investing in and improving the network to meet the demands of the ever increasing number of people who are choosing to travel by train.”
Mark Goodall, London Midland’s head of Cross City services added, “We worked extremely hard to implement an effective rail replacement operation for our customers over the last eight weeks, and I thank everyone who has travelled with us for their patience.The new station facilities at Alvechurch are extremely impressive, and we look forward to the implementation of the winter timetable when all passengers on the route will benefit from an improved rail service”.
The reopening of the railway means that passengers travelling to or from stations in Redditch, Alvechurch and Barnt Green will be able complete their journey by train without the need to change onto rail replacement bus services.