Congestion busting plans for new rail services and stations linking Birmingham and Tamworth, and Sutton Coldfield and Walsall are being investigated as part of a detailed study.
West Midlands public transport developer, Centro, has commissioned the research for its wider Rail Network Development Strategy.
It leads the steering group of local authorities linked by the lines – Birmingham, Staffordshire, Walsall and Warwickshire – which are part-funding the work. Network Rail also sits on the steering group.
If the outcome of the study is positive, it could be a first step towards a series of new passenger rail services and stations for the Midlands region, which would offer a real alternative to the car and help to ease congestion.
The plans include at least two new services an hour between Birmingham and Tamworth, calling at new rail stations at Kingsbury, Castle Bromwich, and the Fort development – supporting the significant regeneration and growth of the area recently.
Trains on the route would also call at the new £9m Coleshill Parkway Station, and at Wilnecote and Water Orton – which would benefit from extra platform capacity.
Also being studied are reinstated services on the rail lines between Walsall and Water Orton via Sutton Park, with new stations at Aldridge, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield, Walmley and Minworth being considered.
Key to the plans is the proposed implementation of new Chord lines in Bordesley, which would allow more new and existing services to access the newly refurbished Birmingham Moor Street station.
Consultants Halcrow are carrying out the study and are due to complete it in November.
They will look at the cost benefit ratio of the plans, as well as key issues such as crowding on existing passenger trains, and how the new services would fit in with freight services which already use the lines.
They will also use planners and economists to assess passenger demand and the scope of the proposed services to reduce congestion, emissions and accidents.
Cllr Gary Clarke, Chairman of Centro said: “If these plans are realised, they will considerably build on the significant investment already seen in regional rail network over recent years.
“They will provide the more local services that we have been campaigning for which are key to cutting congestion in the Midlands and encouraging public transport use.
“We look forward to the outcome of the study to see exactly how these new services could benefit both local communities and the region as a whole.”
