Rail passengers travelling through Lichfield Trent Valley station are set to benefit from a comprehensive six-month project aimed at revamping platform 3.

The initiative, backed by a £5.8 million investment from Network Rail, aims to enhance the railway interchange, providing passengers with more reliable journeys along the Cross City line and the West Coast main line.

Located directly above platforms 1 and 2 on the West Coast main line, platform 3 serves as the final stop on the Cross City line.

Recognizing its significance, Network Rail has decided to rebuild and strengthen this platform to improve future travel experiences for passengers utilizing both routes.

The project will commence with the removal of the existing platform structure over a nine-day period in July. Following this, a modern and robust platform will be reinstated within six months.

As a result, the Cross City line train services to Lichfield Trent Valley will be temporarily suspended from Saturday, July 15, until Wednesday, December 27. However, to ensure connectivity, a rail replacement shuttle bus will be in operation, allowing passengers to access the West Coast main line link.

During the demolition of the old platform structure, a full closure of the West Coast main line below will occur between Saturday, July 15, and Sunday, July 23.

Cross City line services will originate or terminate at Blake Street during this period. To facilitate passenger movement between platforms 1 and 2, a temporary footbridge will be constructed, enabling individuals to utilize lifts and stairs for the entire duration of the six-month project.

Throughout the West Coast main line closure, rail replacement buses will be available, ensuring passengers can continue their journeys without interruption. Passengers are encouraged to plan their trips in advance by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk for further information.

Starting Monday, July 24, the West Coast main line will reopen, allowing services to resume their usual operations at platforms 1 and 2. However, the Cross City line will temporarily terminate at Lichfield City station until December 27.

Car Park Closures:

To facilitate the project, partial and full closures of the Burton Old Road car park will be required until August. The closure schedule is as follows:

• June 5 to July 7: Approximately one-third of the car park will be closed.
• July 8 to July 22: The car park will be fully closed, and foot access to platform 2 will be unavailable. Passengers are advised to cross from platform 1 via platform 3.
• July 23 to August 11: Approximately one-third of the car park will be closed.

Passengers are advised to make alternative parking arrangements during the closure period. No road closures are planned as part of the project.

Cross City Line Bus Replacements:

From July 15 to July 23, while platform 3 is removed and the temporary footbridge is installed, train services to and from Lichfield Trent Valley and Lichfield City will be unavailable. Rail replacement buses will be in operation between Lichfield Trent Valley and Blake Street, where the train service will originate or terminate. From July 24 to December 27, no passenger trains will run to or from Lichfield

Cathleen Meehan, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “We know that replacing platform 3 over six months will be disruptive for Cross City line passengers and I’d like to thank people in advance for their patience.

“The major challenge here is the platform crosses over one of the busiest mixed-use railways in Europe, which nearly never closes. Our team has worked hard to carefully plan the work so it causes the least disruption to both rail routes and secures the important interchange between the Cross City and West Coast main lines for the future. As always, we’d urge people to familiarise themselves with how their journeys could be different between July and December by visiting National Rail Enquiries in advance of the work starting.”

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at West Midlands Railway said: “I would like to thank passengers for their patience and understanding while Network Rail is carrying out essential structural improvements to platform 3 at Lichfield Trent Valley. The work is vital for keeping the station safe for passengers and colleagues, which is our number one priority.”

“A full rail replacement shuttle will be in operation between Lichfield City and Lichfield Trent Valley throughout the work and thanks to the installation of a temporary footbridge, platforms 1 and 2 will remain accessible as usual.”