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Friday 20 May 2016

MPs see first-hand work to improve the railway between Walsall and Rugeley

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

Two MPs have visited the railway between Walsall and Rugeley which is being upgraded and electrified by Network Rail.

Valerie Vaz, MP for Walsall South, and Amanda Milling, MP for Cannock Chase, met with Network Rail today (20 May) along the route to see the work that has taken place already and find out more about the benefits which will be delivered.

The £36m investment will provide passengers with more reliable, faster and quieter journeys and is due to be completed in December 2017.

The investment is part of Network Rail's Railway Upgrade Plan which is building a better railway to support the increasing demand placed on it by an ever-growing number of passengers and to support wider economic growth across Britain.

Electric trains are better for the environment, quieter for both passengers and those who live near the railway, are more reliable and have less of an impact on the railway itself, meaning less maintenance is required.

Valerie Vaz, MP for Walsall South, said: “I welcome investment in the railway in the Walsall area to provide local people with better services and connections to the wider rail network. The work has utilised local skills to deliver the upgrade which will also provide environmental benefits with cleaner, greener and quieter trains serving the region.”

Amanda Milling, MP for Cannock Chase, said: "The Chase Line electrification is a major new infrastructure project which research suggests will create significant regional economic benefits and job creation. I look forward to the electric trains running and the capacity increase that the project will provide to Chase Line passengers.

"I have spoken in Parliament a number of times about the importance getting the electrification works completed by the end of 2017. I would like to thank Network Rail for organising this event which has been incredibly useful in terms of seeing how the work to electrify the line is progressing

Richard Dugdale from Network Rail said: “The investment in the railway between Walsall and Rugeley will mean passengers will have better, more reliable journeys on this important line. As part of our Railway Upgrade Plan we are investing heavily to improve the railway across Britain and this is the latest example of upgrades taking place in the West Midlands.”

Rob Hornsey, head of route for London Midland, said: "The Chase line is growing from strength to strength as more passengers are using this service every year. The electrification of the route will make it easier and simpler for rail users with a faster, more frequent service. "