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Tuesday 11 Oct 2005

£8.7 MILLION RAIL INVESTMENT IN THE WEST MIDLANDS

Region & Route:

Network Rail is investing £8.7 million in track improvements between Birmingham New Street, Redditch and Bromsgrove. Track renewal work will take place at Selly Oak, Lifford, Kings Norton and Barnt Green. The programme of work will take place on consecutive weekends between 15 October and 6 November. Peter Strachan, Network Rail Route Director said: “This major investment in the West Midlands involves the renewal of over four miles of rail as well as new ballast, sleepers and points in large sections of the area. The project is part of our commitment to improving the rail infrastructure in the region to provide a more reliable service for passengers. “By doing this work at weekends we hope to keep passenger disruption to a minimum and have worked with train operating companies to provide alternative travel arrangements. We would like to thank rail users and our line-side neighbours for their patience while these track renewals are carried out” Over the weekends of 15 & 16, 22 & 23, 29 & 30 October and 5 & 6 November, Central Trains services will be replaced by road replacement services between Birmingham New Street, Redditch and Worcester Shrub Hill. Virgin Cross Country services to the South West will be diverted via Kidderminster adding approximately an hour to journey times. Passengers are advised to check travel details in advance by contacting National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or www.nationalrail.co.uk