Because of industrial action last Friday, 5 April, when no trains ran through Birmingham New Street, Network Rail engineers used the rare opportunity to carry out inspections, maintenance and repairs of the rail infrastructure within the area.

The industrial action allowed the electricity supply to the overhead lines to be switched off so that engineers could inspect and assess the overhead power lines in advance of them being re-tensioned later this month.

Some of the overhead lines were installed in the 1960s and are susceptible to sagging during spells of hot weather.

It is essential to maintain the tension of the lines to minimise the risk of sagging in the coming months.

Engineers also took advantage of the absence of trains and passengers to carry out track inspections and renewals.

Plants and vegetation growing out of the side of the tracks on the approach to the station were also removed to improve the environment and appearance for passengers and the public.

Ahead of the industrial action, the Cross City line was closed between Birmingham and Lichfield New Street from Tuesday, 2 to Friday, 5 April so that parts of the A38(M) Tame Valley Viaduct that crosses railway lines near Spaghetti Junction on the M6 motorway could be safely strengthened and refurbished.

Other work carried out during the closure of the Cross City line included inspection of the overhead power lines, testing and replacing signal and points cables between Wylde Green and Shenstone stations and moving a signal at Lichfield Trent Valley station in readiness for the introduction of new trains on the Cross City line.

There will be further disruption to services from Birmingham New Street on Sundays, 21 and 28 April when services will start later after overnight closures to allow survey work to be carried out. Passengers intending to travel on those dates should check their travel plans at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

It’s very rare that we get the opportunity to access the tracks at Birmingham New Street station in this way, so we took the opportunity to carry out this extra work. It is frustrating for everyone that trains weren’t able to run because of industrial action, but this work will help to provide more reliable services through Birmingham New Street in future.

Wider improvements over Easter and work on the Cross City line to help introduce new trains means passengers and freight across the West Midlands and beyond will benefit from a better, more reliable railway. I thank passengers for their patience while these essential upgrades took place.

Denise Wetton, route director for Network Rail Central