- Consultation opens on the £1.75bn Midlands Rail Hub project, which outlines early proposals for a major upgrade to Birmingham's railway.
- The eight-week consultation covers major upgrades of the railway between Bordesley and Birmingham Moor Street as part of the transformational Midlands Rail Hub project.
- Members of the public and local businesses are urged to provide feedback, which will help shape the final plans for the project.
- Midlands Rail Hub is the region’s biggest and most ambitious rail improvement scheme, aiming to provide faster, better, and more frequent journeys for local, regional, and national passengers.
- The project will significantly increase the number of trains using Birmingham Moor Street by building two new sections of railway, known as ‘chords.’
- Improvements will transfer a number of regional train services from Birmingham New Street to Birmingham Moor Street.
The Midlands Rail Hub project, valued at £1.75 billion, aims to transform Birmingham's railway infrastructure. The eight-week consultation, running from July 6 to August 28, invites public feedback on proposed upgrades between Bordesley and Birmingham Moor Street.24
The project will introduce two new railway sections, known as 'chords', connecting the Camp Hill line with the Chiltern main line, significantly increasing train services. Midlands Rail Hub is expected to add up to 300 additional trains daily, enhancing connectivity for over 50 locations, including Nottingham and Cardiff.5
Denise Wetton from Network Rail emphasized that the hub would 'change the landscape of the railway in Birmingham', providing substantial benefits across the city and region. The initiative is projected to create 14.2 million extra seats at Birmingham Moor Street and 5.4 million at Birmingham New Street as more services are introduced.
Mark Cuzner, director of the Midlands Rail Hub Alliance, stated that the proposals represent a 'key element' of the broader vision for the hub, which aims to boost economic growth and improve regional access to HS2 at Curzon Street. Following the consultation, feedback will inform detailed proposals, with a second consultation planned for summer 2027.
The Midlands Rail Hub Alliance, comprising several key partners, is set to submit a Transport and Works Act Order application in early 2028, marking a significant step towards realizing this ambitious project.
“The eight-week consultation, running until 28 August, will gather feedback on plans that include building two new rail 'chords' to connect the Camp Hill line with the Chiltern main line. The project aims to add up to 300 additional daily trains and provide over 14 million extra seats at Birmingham Moor Street.”
