14.04.14
Redditch £100m redevelopment work set to start
Work to increase the frequency of trains between Barnt Green and Redditch, along with the redevelopment of Alvechurch station to provide a better railway for passengers, is set begin, Network Rail has confirmed.
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 also be transformed with an additional platform, a new footbridge and lifts being built, providing a better station and step-free access 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.”
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. But Network Rail has worked closely with London Midland to plan the work and keep the closure and disruption to a minimum for passengers.
Mark Goodall, London Midland’s head of cross city services, apologised to passengers for the temporary disruption. “However, ultimately, this work programme will lead to a more frequent and reliable rail service, which is better news for everyone,” he said.
(Image: Artist's impression of the redeveloped Alvechurch station)
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