Birmingham MP Boosts Midlands Rail Hub with 100 Extra Trains Daily

Attention Net Zero News readers,

Birmingham MP Preet Kaur Gill recently met with Midlands Connect and other rail chiefs at University Station to discuss the potential benefits of the Midlands Rail Hub for her constituency.

The Midlands Rail Hub project aims to construct two ‘chords’ and over 10 engineering interventions across the region to revolutionize rail transport in the Midlands. This ambitious plan could result in up to 100 additional trains operating in and out of Birmingham daily, paving the way for a more convenient ‘turn up and go’ service on the Cross City line that would greatly benefit University and Five Ways in Preet’s constituency.

During the meeting, Preet Kaur Gill, the MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, was accompanied by Councillor Majid Mahmood from Birmingham City Council, Cabinet Member for Transport & Environment, as well as representatives from West Midlands Rail Executive, West Midlands Trains, and Network Rail.

Midlands Connect also emphasized how the Midlands Rail Hub, their flagship project, could align with the government’s goal of reducing NHS waiting lists by improving access to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital via rail for patients.

Several Labour politicians, including Dave Robertson MP from Lichfield, Laurence Turner MP from Birmingham Northfield, Al Carns MP for Selly Oak, and Paulette Hamilton MP from Erdington, have expressed their support for the enhancements that the Midlands Rail Hub could bring to their constituencies. These improvements include more frequent trains on the Cross City Line, adding 5 million extra seats annually, and upgrading the station at Kings Norton.

Preet Kaur Gill, Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, commented:

“As the MP for Birmingham Edgbaston, I wholeheartedly welcome this investment in our railways.

“University Station is a key hub in our city, and overcrowding concerns have been a safety issue. Enhancing railway capacity will not only make commuting easier and safer within our city but will also improve connectivity for individuals working and studying at the University of Birmingham. It will also benefit leisure travellers and those seeking medical care at University Hospitals Birmingham.

“With significant investment in the University area, including the new life sciences park, having robust transport infrastructure that can handle increased capacity will play a crucial role in supporting future employment opportunities in the region.”

Sarah Spink, Strategic Partnerships Lead at Midlands Connect, added:

“The developments planned by the Midlands Rail Hub for University station and its surrounding areas, including the university campus and hospital, will bring substantial benefits to students, staff, and patients alike.

“The provision of faster and more frequent train services will be particularly advantageous for the NHS, enabling swift transportation to this prominent hospital which can significantly enhance healthcare services in the city.

“This underscores how the Midlands Rail Hub contributes to achieving the government’s key objectives of growth and healthcare improvement.”

Vicki Flindall, Director of Finance at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), expressed:

“The Midlands Rail Hub will be a tremendous asset for the over 12,000 individuals employed at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, where we cater to more than one million patients annually.

“Enhanced speed and frequency of services will make train travel to our hospital more appealing for the dedicated professionals who deliver life-saving and life-changing care daily. Easy access to transportation is vital for our patients, who seek expert care from across the region and beyond.”

Toby Rackliff, Strategic Lead for Rail Policy at West Midlands Rail Executive, stated:

“In the past year, three million passengers using University station have benefited from a significantly improved station and the introduction of a new fleet of modern, comfortable, high-capacity trains.

“The Midlands Rail Hub is set to enable a 50% increase in Cross-City services, meeting the escalating demand for travel to both Birmingham University and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.”

Image credit: Midlands Rail Hub

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