Network Rail is warning passengers that there will be a six-day closure of the Cross City line between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield to enable vital A38(M) maintenance to take place.
The line will be closed from Monday 27 May to Saturday 1 June inclusive, reopening on Sunday 2 June. It is needed because of Birmingham City Council’s ongoing strengthening and refurbishment of sections of the A38(M) Tame Valley Viaduct which crosses the railway between Gravelly Hill and Aston stations.
Buses will replace all West Midlands Railway services between Lichfield Trent Valley and Birmingham during the closure.
The council’s work is part of a 4.5 year scheme to strengthen the viaduct’s main steel boxes, grit blast and repaint steel beams and carry out concrete repairs. The scale of the job means the railway underneath has to close for safety reasons and is the result of close working between Birmingham City Council, Network Rail and West Midlands Railway.
Network Rail is utilising the closure to carry out its own essential maintenance of the railway line, which will help to make the route safer and more reliable for passengers. The work will include:
Cutting back and managing vegetation.
Maintenance of the overhead power lines in preparation for hot weather.
Testing and replacing signalling cables between Sutton Coldfield and Lichfield Trent Valley stations.
Creating a new access point near Aston station to allow quicker access to the track in future.
Steven Ireland, Network Rail’s Central route Head of Stations and Customer Relations, said: “I know this closure will impact a lot of people and I’m sorry for the inconvenience it will cause. Birmingham City Council’s work is essential to keep the A38(M) into the city centre safe and open, so we have worked with them, and West Midlands Railway, to make it possible.
“We will be taking the opportunity to complete our own essential maintenance of the line between Birmingham and Lichfield which will help make journeys more reliable for passengers in future.
“Please check with West Midlands Railway or National Rail Enquiries for the latest travel information.”
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at West Midlands Railway, said: “The upkeep and the maintenance of our railway is crucial for providing a more efficient service for passengers in the future.
“As a result of the A38(M) work, I urge passengers to check their journeys during the closure as a rail replacement service will be in operation between Lichfield Trent Valley and Birmingham New Street.”
Passengers are also being advised about major work taking place on the West Coast main line over the late May bank holiday weekend which will mean changes to train services between London Euston and Scotland.
Passengers can get the latest travel information at www.nationalrail.co.uk.
