Railwatch 086 - November 2000

Midlands

By Alan Bevan

Metro conflict The branch is devoting time and attention to the need to protect the Lichfield-Walsall-Stourbridge route from being almost totally taken over by proposed Midland Metro extensions. Having abandoned a track sharing scheme on technical and financial grounds, the plan is to "elbow aside" heavy rail into a mostly single line along the six-mile Wednesbury-Round Oak section, resulting in a severe reduction in train paths from 10 to around three to four trains per hour each way. On top of that yet further Metro extensions to Stourbridge and Walsall are also being suggested which would almost certainly reduce train paths to only two trains per hour or perhaps even none. All this arises at a time when official capacity studies have ironically shown that many critical routes will soon reach saturation. This includes the Water Orton and King's Norton locations where a need clearly exists to re-route north-south freight via a reopened Lichfield-Walsall-Stourbridge route. Based on the studies, our assessment is that a clear demand exists for eight passenger and freight train paths per hour each way via this line. We have protested and lobbied the various authorities.

Tunnel fumes To address congestion at New Street station an option being seriously considered is a £500million one-and-a-half-mile-long deep-level tunnel linking Five Ways with Proof House Junction and having two island platforms 25 metres below street level. In addition to Cross-City electrics, the tunnel would also be used by diesel multiple units serving Worcester, Derby and Leicester. The branch is concerned to ascertain whether effective extraction systems are available to ensure safe and consistent removal of diesel fumes from the deep-level platforms. Who out there can reassure or advise us?

Progress Chiltern Trains started calling at the new Warwick Parkway station on 8 October although the official opening ceremony was on 25 October when Railways Minister Keith Hill unveiled a plaque. More trains are also now serving Bromsgrove, and also Walsall-Wolverhampton trains will run hourly through to Wellington, serving all stations.

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