‘New era’ for rail travel as 30 year strategy approved

Plans to improve rail services across the West Midlands have been outlined in a 30 year investment strategy.

The Rail Investment Strategy has been published by the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE), and in the short-term includes the return of passenger services and stations on the Camp Hill Line and Wolverhampton to Walsall line.

It also sets out a target to achieve regular high frequency services of two, four or six trains an hour at all stations, with busy urban stations receiving a service every ten minutes and quieter local stations at least every half hour during the day.

In the medium-term, WMRE says the strategy builds on the benefits HS2 will bring to the region and supports the Midlands Rail Hub proposals being developed by Midlands Connect.

The aim is provide a joined up set of proposals to shape the development of the West Midlands up to 2047.

Chair of the WMRE and leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, Cllr Roger Lawrence, said:  “We are delighted to launch our strategy for delivering better rail services across the whole region over the next thirty years.

“We very much appreciate the time and effort which our partners and stakeholder consultees put into developing their responses.

“We are pleased that our approach received wide and strong support. The strategy will support the exciting regeneration and growth plans that exist across our partner authorities, recognising the role that rail plays in connecting people, communities and businesses.”

The strategy has been drawn up by the WMRE in collaboration with Midlands Connect, the Department for Transport and the wider rail industry and has been finalised following a period of public and stakeholder consultation.

Malcolm Holmes, executive director of WMRE, said: “Our strategy shapes the new era for rail travel by West Midlanders. It evidences our ambitious plans to work together with Midlands Connect and the rail industry to transform the train services and physical network to support the needs of the region.

“We are hugely excited to be in an ambitious and determined period of delivering this strategy.”

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