Media centre

Monday 18 Oct 2010

NEW RAILWAY SIGNALLING SYSTEM IS SWITCHED ON

Region & Route:

More reliable services are on the cards for commuters on one of the main routes into Birmingham, with potentially more trains and faster journeys at a later date, after a new signalling system is switched on at the end of October.

The entire route from Stratford-upon-Avon to Birmingham is being brought into the 21^st century and will be under the watchful eyes of signallers in a computerised control centre based in Saltley – one of the most modern in the country.

Network Rail route director Jo Kaye explained: “This is the latest stage in our plans to completely renew all the signalling throughout the West Midlands by 2015, which is when New Street signalling controls will be transferred.

“Now tourists visiting Stratford, and commuters and shoppers heading for Birmingham can look forward to the prospect of a more reliable train service and potentially faster and more frequent journeys in the future.”

The multimillion pound project has been prompted by the need to update life expired equipment on the North Warwick line to Stratford. In doing so control of the line will be transferred from the three existing signal boxes at Shirley, Henley and Bearley to the west midlands signalling control centre in Saltley.

The signal boxes are mechanical installations dating from early in the last century. When all the work is completed, they will no longer be needed, so they are due to be demolished.

At the same time, the railway junction at Bearley is being redesigned and the track layouts at Henley-in-Arden and Shirley are being improved.

The final piece in the jigsaw will be to carry out a thorough test of the system before it is brought into use.

In order to do this:-

• the section of line between Shirley and Stratford-upon-Avon will be closed from 25 to 29 October, with buses replacing trains
• buses will replace trains between Snow Hill and Stratford on 24, 30 and 31 October
• the line between Stratford and Leamington Spa will be closed from 24 to 31 October

Passengers are advised to check their travel plans with their local train operator, or by calling national rail enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or by going online at www.nationalrail.co.uk