Bromgsrove MP Sajid Javid backs Midlands Rail Hub plans

Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid met with Midlands Connect representatives to discuss plans for Midlands Rail Hub.

The £1.5 billion rail scheme would aim to improve access from the West Midlands to the South West, Wales, and the East Midlands, benefitting two stations in the MP’s constituency: Bromsgrove and Barnt Green.

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.

This would be made possible by the extension and upgrade of the current freight loops and infill electrification between Kings Norton and Barnt Green, as well as an Improved junction at the latter station.

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In addition, major new infrastructure is required in and around Birmingham City Centre. When he was Chancellor, Sajid Javid granted £20m to Midlands Connect to fund the Outline Business Case.

He said: “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.

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