Work continues to install new signaling systems at Birmingham New Street Station.
According to Network Rail, passengers should check before they travel in the course of 2021 as the platforms used will change.
Platform 11 is now no longer used and platform 12 is now being used again.
Most of the equipment used on Birmingham New Street is around 54 years old and nearing the end of his working life.
New state-of-the-art signals will be installed over the next 18 months to replace the old equipment.
All train operators using the station are affected, including the West Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry and Transport for Wales.
The timetables are not affected, only the platforms on which the trains arrive and depart.
When the work was completed in 2022, £ 600 million was invested in upgrading the routes from Birmingham New Street to Bromsgrove, Wolverhampton, Coventry and Tamworth.
6.5 miles of cable will be installed with 114 new signals, requiring 750,000 man hours.
Photo credit: Network Rail
Dave Penney, Network Rail’s Central Route Director, said, “While the majority of passengers will follow government advice to stay home during this final national lockdown, there will be some who will still have to use the railroad to get to work to come and for essential medical appointments. “
“I want these passengers to still rely on the railroad for one of the government approved reasons for the smoothest journey possible while this important signaling upgrade is taking place. My advice is therefore to always check which platform your train is on, as this can change at short notice as the rolling platforms are closed. “
“This one-time overhaul of the signaling equipment on Birmingham New Street at one of the UK’s most important stations has been carefully planned to minimize disruption. When completed, the West Midlands will have large areas that use the latest and greatest signals across the UK. This will help provide a safe, reliable, and high-performance railroad for decades to come. “
Photo credit: Network Rail
Alex Warner, chairman of the Grand Rail Collaboration, which represents train operators who use Birmingham New Street, said, “An essential part of delivering for passengers is that train traffic is reliable and capable of growing. A modern, ultra-modern signaling system is essential for this. “
“This investment is critical to the long-term future of the West Midlands railroad. In the short term, the most important thing to manage the impact and not canceling trains is good news for passengers. “
Malcolm Holmes, Executive Director of West Midlands Rail Executive, said: “Birmingham New Street is at the center of the West Midlands rail network and needs the best technology to keep passengers and trains moving safely for years to come. The industry has worked together to create a complete schedule and minimize disruption during this work. The result will be a better and more reliable railroad for the region. “
Passengers can check their journeys on the National Rail website.
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