Views sought over £1.75bn rail scheme

A consultation on a £1.75bn railway project which could see millions of extra seats on trains coming in and out of Birmingham has been launched.

Under plans for the Midlands Rail Hub, Birmingham Moor Street will see 14.2m extra seats and Birmingham New Street will gain an extra 5.4m as more services are created.

Denise Wetton from Network Rail said the hub would "change the landscape of the railway in Birmingham and provide huge benefits across the city, region, and Britain".

The eight-week consultation will let people give their views on major upgrades of the railway between Bordesley and Birmingham Moor Street.

The scheme aims to provide faster, better and more frequent journeys as well as boost economic growth, create regeneration and support the delivery of new homes.

There will be three additional trains per hour to towns and cities south west of Birmingham, the reinstatement of two trains on the Cross City Line and four additional trains towards the East Midlands.

The project will see the creation of two new sections known as "chords" and further engineering works throughout the region.

The West Chord will consist of improvements between Bordesley and Moor Street, allowing access to Birmingham Moor Street from the South-West and Wales, and making sure services are improved on the Hereford and Worcester corridors.

While the East Chord will create an access to Birmingham Moor Street from the East Midlands.

Mark Cuzner, Midlands Rail Hub Alliance director, said the proposals represented a "key element" of the wider vision for the hub.

"The consultation we are launching today is an opportunity for the residents, businesses and communities of Birmingham to gain early insights into the proposals, speak to the team who are driving this forward and, most importantly, to provide their views and feedback to shape our detailed plans."

The consultation runs until 28 August and includes includes three in-person drop-in sessions at three locations in the city and one webinar over the coming weeks.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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