Biggest railway upgrade in the Midlands takes huge step forward as preferred partners announced
The biggest railway upgrade in the Midlands has taken a huge step forward after four companies were identified as preferred partners for the scheme.
Midlands Rail Hub, which could cost around £1.75bn if delivered in full, will transform journeys and better connect people with opportunities, jobs, and new houses.
The government’s recent spending review committed to progress the next stage of Midlands Rail Hub, following an initial £123m released last year to design and develop major changes to the railway through Birmingham.
Alongside this, planning is also underway to begin to deliver two smaller but significant upgrades to benefit passengers as quickly as possible.
The preferred new alliance - made up of VolkerRail, Laing O'Rourke, AtkinsRéalis, Siemens Mobility, and Network Rail - will design and develop plans and support the build phase needed to transform passenger journeys.
This latest development is part of ongoing work by Network Rail, West Midlands Rail Executive, Midlands Connect and Department for Transport to progress Midlands Rail Hub.
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “The Midlands Rail Hub will be transformational for economic growth, jobs and homes in the region, and it’s great to see this new alliance ready to deliver vital improvements that will deliver for passengers and freight.
“With £123 million already released to Network Rail, as part of its Plan for Change, this Government is forging ahead with its promise to create the modern transport system Britain needs and deserves.”
The overhaul of the railway in Birmingham and the West Midlands, including changing how the city's three main stations - New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill - are served by train services from across the region and beyond, will have significant benefits to local, regional and national passenger journeys.
The biggest change will be connecting the Chiltern main line, which runs into Moor Street, with the Camp Hill lines which run towards the South West and East Midlands via two new chords in Bordesley, near Birmingham city centre.
The transformation of the network will include running more train services on key routes through Birmingham and significantly improving connections for the millions of people who use the railway every day.
Mal Drury-Rose, West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) director, said: “The Midlands Rail Hub isn't just about delivering more train services; it will unlock huge opportunities for new housing and economic investment across the region.
“We're already making great strides, with WMRE, WMCA, and TfWM collaborating to deliver significant investment in new stations. Building on the success of award-winning Perry Barr and University stations, we currently have five new stations under construction and another in early development.
“Combined with our new fleet of trains, the Midlands Rail Hub will ensure this investment works even harder for West Midlanders and deliver a more prosperous and better-connected future.”
