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Friday 11 Apr 2014

Work to start on Redditch line improvements as part of £100m investment

Region & Route:

Work will start later this year to increase the frequency of trains between Barnt Green and Redditch and redevelop the station at Alvechurch to provide a better railway for passengers.

The improvements are part of a £100m investment package which will boost rail services to Redditch by December 2014.

Nearly three kilometres of new railway will be built from Alvechurch station towards Redditch and the new doubled-section of track will allow three trains an hour to run in each direction between Barnt Green and Redditch, rather than the two trains an hour which currently operate.

Alvechurch station will be transformed with an additional platform, a new footbridge and lifts being built, providing a better station and step-free access for passengers.

Passengers are being warned in advance that the extent of the work means an eight-week closure of the railway between Barnt Green and Redditch will be required over the summer to allow Network Rail to deliver the improvements.

Network Rail has worked closely with London Midland to plan the work and keep the closure and disruption to a minimum for passengers.

Liam Sumpter, area director for Network Rail, said: “These improvements will provide a more frequent and reliable rail service for passengers, allowing additional trains to serve Alvechurch and Redditch every hour. We are also making improvements to Alvechurch station which will have better facilities and be fully accessible for the first time.

“Combined with electrification, resignalling, linespeed improvements and a new station at Bromsgrove, £100m is being invested in the railway in north Worcestershire to provide a better service and facilities for passengers.

“There will be some short-term disruption while the work is carried out and passengers are being advised to always check before they travel to and from Redditch over the summer for the latest information.”

Mark Goodall, London Midland’s head of cross city services, said, “I apologise to passengers for the temporary disruption they will face while these essential works are carried out. Ultimately, this work programme will lead to a more frequent and reliable rail service, which is better news for everyone.”

Replacement coach services will operate during the closure from Redditch, Barnt Green and Alvechurch, connecting passengers to cross city rail services. The closure will be in place on four Sundays in June and for eight weeks between July and August as follows:

- Sunday 8 June 2014

- Sunday 15 June 2014

- Sunday 22 June 2014

- Sunday 29 June 2014; and

- Sunday 6 July – Sunday 31 August 2014 (8 weeks).

Extensive passenger communication will take place over the coming weeks and months to keep passengers informed of what is happening including leafleting on trains, information sessions at Redditch, Alvechurch and Barnt Green stations, as well as updates via social media and at www.londonmidland.com/redditch