Trains to gain millions of seats in £1.75bn drive
Millions of extra seats on 300 new trains will be running in and out of Birmingham in a £1.75bn project, its bosses say.
The Midlands Rail Hub is expected to deliver 20 million more seats in a major transformation of the region's network.
Under the plans, Birmingham Moor Street will see 14.2 million extra seats and Birmingham New Street will gain an extra 5.4 million seats.
"Being able to run faster, more frequent services and deliver 20 million extra seats is the definition of a win-win project," said Andy Clark, head of rail at Midlands Connect.
The scheme is also expected to see the Cross City line getting two extra trains, in each direction, every hour, creating 5.4 million seats annually.
Redditch, Alvechurch and Barnt Green will see one extra train, in each direction, per hour and 2.7 million new seats for passengers, whilst Bromsgrove will see 4.7 million new seats. Lichfield will gain 5.4 million seats.
Nottingham, Hereford, Coleshill Parkway, Worcester, Hinckley, South Wigston, Droitwich Spa and Worcestershire Parkway will see at least two million new seats. Derby will see 4.1 million new seats.
The ambitious programme aims to provide faster, better and more frequent connections across the Midlands and help boost the economy and protect jobs.
Bosses propose building two "chords' and and more than 10 further engineering interventions throughout the region.
The West Chord will consist of improvements between Bordesley and Moor Street, allowing access to Birmingham Moor Street from South-West and Wales, and making sure services are improved on the Hereford and Worcester corridors.
While the East Chord will create access to Birmingham Moor Street from the East Midlands.
Engineering upgrades will include works to platforms at Moor Street, Snow Hill, improvements around Kings Norton to Barnt Green, Water Orton remodelling and the widening of the viaduct at Bordesley.
"The benefits... will be felt by millions of people across the Midlands and beyond," Mr Clark said.
"The Midlands Rail Hub is our flagship project at Midlands Connect, and we are working to deliver massive benefits to all corners of the Midlands."
This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.
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