Midlands Rail Hub: Sajid Javid MP backs plans

Date posted: March 27, 2023
Share
9fdd070c81954618a597a04f0bc04aaa

Representatives from Midlands Connect met with Bromsgrove MP, Sajid Javid at Barnt Green station to discuss how their plans for the Midlands Rail Hub could benefit his constituency.

Midlands Rail Hub is an ambitious £1.5bn rail scheme set to transform rail travel across the whole of the Midlands. It includes improved access from the West Midlands to the South West, Wales, and the East Midlands.

Two stations in Mr Javid’s constituency, Bromsgrove and Barnt Green, could benefit from the proposals. Bromsgrove would see an additional train per hour to Birmingham Moor Street and Hereford, as well as the capacity for an additional Cross City service to Birmingham New Street and beyond. Barnt Green would also benefit from an additional Cross City service to and from Redditch, which the Midlands Rail Hub provides capacity for.

These enhancements would be achieved through a package of improvements between Kings Norton and Barnt Green that includes the extension and upgrade of the current freight loop lines, infill electrification and an improved junction at Barnt Green. In addition, major new infrastructure is required in and around Birmingham City Centre.

When he was Chancellor, Mr Javid granted £20m to Midlands Connect to fund the Outline Business Case. He commented:

“I was delighted to meet with representatives from Midlands Connect to discuss their Midlands Rail Hub project. As Chancellor in 2019, I committed the Conservative Party to supporting this scheme and I look forward to seeing the fantastic benefits that it will bring to Bromsgrove District upon completion”

Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, added:

“The fully delivery of Midlands Rail Hub will provide the region with more than 14 million more seats on the rail network each year and provide faster, more frequent or new rail links to key locations including Bromsgrove and Barnt Green, so it is fantastic that we have the support of the local MP.”

Last year Midlands Connect submitted an Outline Business Case for the Midlands Rail Hub to government, asking for funding to develop a Full Business Case and get building works started by 2025.

Share

Keep Updated

Latest News & Events

Capture

Green Growth

Nov 30 2023

East Midlands Zero Carbon Innovation Centre gets Green Light

Major new plans for a multi-million pound East Midlands zero carbon innovation centre - aiming to transform cutting edge green research into commercial products - have been unveiled by East Midlands Freeport.

Read more
Clean Energy Web Optimised

Green Growth

Nov 30 2023

Derbyshire-based funding scheme for green innovation scoops national award

A programme that supports organisations to develop green energy and carbon reduction schemes in Derbyshire has won a category at this year’s Innovation Awards.

Read more
News image

Economic Opportunities

Nov 27 2023

Universities across the Midlands announce new international campaign to attract global R&D investment to the UK

To coincide with this week’s UK Global Investment Summit, the Midlands Engine Partnership, Midlands Innovation and Midlands Enterprise Universities have today [27 November] launched an innovative new campaign to drive international investment into research and development across the Midlands.

Read more
An electric vehicle charging

Subscribe to Midlands Matters, the newsletter of the Midlands Engine