Busy UK train line to shut for a WEEK sparking ‘severe disruption' for thousands of passengers – check dates to avoid
Passengers using the mainline links in the Midlands are being reminded that no trains will run for seven days this month.
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Train bosses have apologised in advance for the inconvenience after announcing the northern section of the Cross City Line between Birmingham and Lichfield is shutting down for repairs.
There will be no services between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley from Monday July 28 until Sunday August 3 inclusive.
The line will reopen as normal on Monday August 4.
The latest shutdown follows a number of delays and cancellations earlier this month.
Damaged electrical wires meant some lines in and out of Birmingham were blocked, causing disruption to services.
To help keep passengers moving during the seven-day closures at the end of this month, there will be temporary measures in place.
These include:
A rail replacement bus service will run between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley, and between Birmingham New Street and Tame Bridge Parkway.
Train services will continue to run as normal between Birmingham New Street and Redditch/Bromsgrove on the southern section of the Cross City line.
Services to Rugeley Trent Valley will be diverted via Aston, with slightly extended journey times.
The original closure was needed to install an HS2 viaduct, with further Network Rail work – including earthwork repairs, cutting back vegetation, track maintenance and improvements – planned to make the most of the line being closed.
While the viaduct will now be installed at a later date, the other work will continue.
This is in addition to Birmingham City Council's ongoing strengthening and refurbishment work on the A38(M) Tame Valley Viaduct.
The viaduct runs directly above the railway.
HS2 finally gets under way as world's longest tunnelling machine prepares to start digging
Denise Wetton, Network Rail's Central route director, said: 'Everything was done to plan this work to cause the least disruption to the fewest number of people, while completing the most amount of maintenance work as possible.
"There is never a good time for closures like this and I am sorry for the inconvenience, but school holidays and summer breaks means passenger numbers will be lower than normal.
'Passengers should check with West Midlands Railway and National Rail Enquiries for travel information, and I want to thank passengers in advance for their patience.'
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director for West Midlands Railway, said: "I'd like to thank our customers for their patience while the northern section of the Cross City Line is closed.
"We'll be running replacement buses throughout the work to keep our customers moving and I'd urge passengers to check their travel before setting out and allow extra time for their journeys.'
Passengers can plan their journey and check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk and with West Midlands Railway at www.wmr.uk.
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