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Wednesday 24 Nov 2004

NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW TRACK FOR NEW STREET

Region & Route:

Birmingham New Street station is set to receive £9.5m worth of brand new railway track following essential engineering work to replace old track on a number of platforms at the station. Network Rail will begin track renewals at the Stour tunnels end of the station, on lines towards London, from close of business on Christmas Eve and is due to finish on Monday January 3 2005, in time for many commuters returning to work. There will be no services on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, although around 70 track workers will be passing up their Christmas dinners to make sure the project goes according to plan. Robbie Burns, Route Director for Network Rail said: “The track at New Street is over 40 years old and it is time for it to be replaced. A great deal of forward planning has gone into the renewal programme, including working closely with our industry colleagues at the train operating companies to ensure that it’s business as usual for passengers wishing to use the station over the festive period.” “Christmas is traditionally a quieter time for the railway and commuter traffic is also significantly reduced. Carrying out the work during this time will help to minimise disruption as far as possible. While work is being carried out and where train services are affected, Central Trains and Virgin will be running bus replacement services from the front of the station. Passengers travelling over the Christmas period are advised to allow plenty of time for their journeys and check before travelling with National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50. Details of alternative travel arrangements will also be made available at local stations across the region. Birmingham Snow Hill and Birmingham Moor Street stations will be open as usual. Further track renewals will take place over Christmas 2005.