Midland rail users faced with weeks of chaos

Oct 28 2009 by Patrice John, Birmingham Mail

RAIL passengers in Birmingham will have to endure weeks of disrupted services due to engineering works.

Network Rail are carrying out track upgrades on the Cross City Line south between New Street and Redditch until next month.

This means commuters using London Midland trains will have no rail service on Sundays and overnight when work is being completed. Bus replacement services will be laid on along the route that covers Northfield, Selly Oak and Longbridge.

Network Rail route director Jo Kaye said: “The Cross City Line is a hugely important route for Birmingham and keeping the track well maintained and trains running are vitally important for the city’s economy. 

“Working through the night and all day on Sundays means that we can keep the city moving through the week whilst these important renewals take place.”

The £1.5 million track upgrade will be carried out on a five-mile stretch to provide smoother and less disruptive journeys.

The work began on September 13 and is scheduled to end on November 22 with the final pieces of track being replaced at Northfield.

Network Rail plan to use machinery plus an additional 60 people to replace old tracks, sleepers, and ballast

London Midland passengers will bare the brunt of the disruption as the company operates trains between Birmingham, London and Liverpool as well as a network of regional services throughout ­Birmingham suburbs.

A London Midland spokesman said: “This is a very important project for passengers who use this major rail route, which will lead to an improved service.

“In the short term, it may mean some disruption to services, but this is being kept to a minimum with the work being done overnight and on Sundays.”

Passengers are advised to check with London Midland or National Rail enquiries before they travel.