West Midlands Trains reveal support for 2022 Games

Station upgrades planned to welcome the Commonwealth.

As the Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast come to a close, West Midlands Trains has further pledged its support to make the Birmingham spectacle in 2022 a success.

The Midlands city was named host for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in December last year. With sporting events being held across Birmingham, providing efficient options for spectators to travel between venues will be highly important and preparations are already well underway to make this possible.

West Midlands Trains is working closely with Transport for West Midlands , West Midlands Combined Authority and Birmingham City Council to help form a transport strategy with Games spectators at its heart.

Before the Games arrive in 2022, West Midlands rail passengers will see a £1 billion raft of new improvements across the region. These include new trains and greater capacity on the Cross City line by 2021, more frequent Sunday services in and around Birmingham and major electrification works across the network.

Several stations have also been earmarked for improvement including a rebuild of Perry Barr, which will serve both the Athlete’s Village and the Alexander Stadium, major upgrade works at University and other improvements at stations across the network.

Additionally, the train operator is looking at introducing seven new stations across the West Midlands, subject to feasibility assessments. Proposed sites include Darlaston, Willenhall, Kings Heath, Moseley, Hazelwell, Merry Hill and the West Midlands Safari Park.

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.”