Chase Line closures to make way for upgrades as buses will replace trains

Buses will replace trains between Rugeley Trent Valley, Walsall, and Tame Bridge Parkway West Bromwich this weekend and the timetable will be amended slightly.

The same measures will be in place on every Sunday up to July 30. There will then be a be a two-week break in the works before the line is closed again between Sunday, August 13 to Monday, August 28.

The work is part of the £100m electrification scheme which promises quieter, faster and environmentally friendly services.

Amanda Milling, MP for Cannock Chase, vowed to monitor the situation over the coming weeks. She said: "I completely understand that passengers will be very concerned by the disruption to the service over the coming weekends as the engineering works mean that the line will be shut totally so that Network Rail can fit the overhead electrical equipment.

"I would urge passengers to check the information provided by London Midland which outlines the details of the replacement bus services.

"I have repeatedly met with representatives from both Network Rail and London Midland to make it clear that the works need to be completed on time with as little disruption to passengers as possible and I will continue to monitor the situation closely.

"Since being elected in 2015 as the MP for Cannock Chase issues with the Chase Line, including overcrowded, delayed and cancelled trains has been an on-going problem.

"The electrification of the line will improve the service and I hope that passengers will understand that the short term disruption will be worth it in the end."

Rob Homsey, the lead for Chase Line services for London Midland, said: "An increasing number of passengers now use the chase line services each year. The work taking place will allow electric trains to run between Walsall and Rugeley.

"Overhead wires are currently only in place as far as Walslal so we can only run diesel trains for our Birmingham to Rugeley Services.

"Once the electrification work on the chase line is complete electric trains will be able to run along the whole line bringing a number of benefits.

"Electric trains are quieter, faster and more environmentally friendly. They can also carry more passengers than diesel trains."

Francis Thomas, a spokesman for London Midland, added: "We never like to stop people from travelling by rail and we never like to put on replacement bus services but this is part of £100 million investment works to make the chase line better for everyone."