TRAINS between Solihull and Birmingham Moor Street will be closed for four-days as work is carried out.
To make sure the railways run on time during the Commonwealth Games Network Rail will be moving parts of track which allow trains from the Tyseley maintenance depot to get on and off the rail network between June 20 and 23.
The £3million project will see new rails, sleepers and ballast installed, removing graffiti and overgrown plants and stressing rails so they cope better in hot weather.
During the work rail replacement buses will be offered to those travelling between Solihull and Birmingham Moor Street.
Network Rail say it’s the first time in a generation this part of the Chiltern main line will be completely shut for large scale work.
Denise Wetton, Network Rail’s central route director, said: “We know there’s never an ideal time to close the railway and a mid-week closure for work like this is rare, but post-pandemic passenger numbers show weekdays are now the least disruptive time to close the railway for vital work.
“This programme of upgrades will improve the network not only at Tyseley but across the wider West Midlands, providing passengers with a cleaner, fresher, more reliable railway throughout our major summer of sport.
“It will also help to reduce the risk of platforms becoming overcrowded as a result of the predicted one million extra passenger journeys during the Commonwealth Games.”
Network Rail said any issues at the Tyseley depot during the Commonwealth Games could cause major delays across the region, including risking overcrowding at key stations serving sports venues.
Jonny Wiseman, West Midlands Railway customer experience director, said: “These essential works will make a real, long-term difference to passengers by improving access to Tyseley depot where trains are cared for and refuelled.
“I would like to thank our customers for their patience while this work is carried out and I urge passengers travelling during this period to plan their journeys carefully as revised timetables and rail replacement buses will be in operation.”
Passengers are being advised to check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk.
