Representatives of Midlands Connect and the West Midlands Rail Executive convened with Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas at Bromsgrove station to explore the advantages that the Midlands Rail Hub plans could offer to his constituency.

The Midlands Rail Hub is set to boost the frequency of trains running to Bromsgrove to three per hour, providing commuters with quicker and more regular services to Birmingham, Worcester, and Hereford, along with millions of additional seats annually.

The Midlands Rail Hub initiative will enable an extra Cross City train to operate hourly to and from Bromsgrove, ensuring a consistent three trains per hour Cross City service from Bromsgrove to Birmingham.

Additionally, Bromsgrove will continue to be served by quicker trains to Birmingham, originating from Hereford or Worcester.

The proposals will also benefit Barnt Green and Alvechurch, including an additional Cross City service to and from Redditch, facilitated by the increased capacity from the Midlands Rail Hub.

In March 2023 the initiative received backing from former MP Sajid Javid, who allocated £20 million for the scheme’s initial development during his tenure as Chancellor.

In February 2024, additional funding was secured to advance the Full Business Case for the Midlands Rail Hub, propelling the project into the delivery stage.

The Rail Hub represents the cornerstone project of Midlands Connect. During the meeting, representatives from Midlands Connect collaborated with Bradley Thomas MP, and they were accompanied by Mal Drury-Rose, the Executive Director of the West Midlands Rail Executive.

“The Midlands Rail Hub will deliver a step change in transport into and through Bromsgrove and the wider Midlands by delivering faster and more frequent train services – improving customer experience, giving people access to opportunities, encouraging economic growth and enabling a sustainable future for all.

As a local resident I know what better transport links will mean for this area. All-in-all it will deliver better, quicker east-west connections and it will make a massive difference. This project will also create and safeguard 12,750 jobs, it is a nationally significant scheme.”

Strategic Partnerships Lead Sarah Spink

“As part of my plan for Bromsgrove and the Villages, improving local transport is a top priority.

It’s clear the Midlands Rail Hub will bring benefits to rail users across Bromsgrove and the Villages and it therefore has my full support.

I look forward to working with Midlands Connect to ensure the new Government continues to back the Midlands Rail Hub.”

Bradley Thomas, MP for Bromsgrove and the Villages