The West Midlands Rail Executive’s consultation on the draft West Midlands Rail Investment Strategy closes today.

The consultation is giving businesses, rail industry stakeholders and the public the chance to have their say on the plans, as well as comment on what they think the strategy should include.

The updated draft West Midlands Rail Investment Strategy sets out how the region’s rail sector plans to tackle challenges like post-pandemic recovery, maximise the benefits of HS2 and contribute to achieving net zero carbon targets.

Like the first strategy, issued in 2018, key elements remain the continued development of HS2 and the delivery of the Midlands Rail Hub.

Since then the new Worcestershire Parkway station has opened, and progress has also been made on the construction of five new railway stations on the Camp Hill line in Birmingham and the Wolverhampton to Walsall line, as well as the redevelopment of Coventry, Wolverhampton, Perry Barr and University railway stations.

The update also takes account of huge changes as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic including a fall in passenger numbers as a result of changing work patterns and the reorganisation of the industry through the establishment of the Great British Railway.

The draft strategy has been led by the West Midlands Rail Executive and developed with rail industry partners, including Midlands Connect and the Department for Transport and has been issued for consultation with stakeholders, businesses and communities. Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMRE said:

“There have been challenges with rail services following the pandemic, but there are exciting times and opportunities ahead for rail with the right investment in the right areas.

“Over the next few months and years we will be powering ahead with the return of passenger stations and services to the Camp Hill and Wolverhampton to Walsall railway lines, as well as opening a new station at Aldridge.

“But this strategy looks further ahead to key developments such as the Midlands Rail Hub and growing the West Midlands rail network in a coordinated way. It will be used to press the case for more investment and ensure improvements are delivered where it is most needed. That is why it is important people have their say now to help shape the future.”

Following this a final draft will be presented to the WMRE Board for approval.

The draft strategy has several key ambitions including to support the region’s recovery from Covid 19, contribute to local and national net-zero carbon targets, support the levelling up agenda and maximise the benefits of HS2. Further aims are to encourage growth in freight on rail and consider more radical proposals for the 30-year long-term – such as a rail tunnel under Birmingham city centre.

The plan sets out how passenger numbers and rail service frequencies are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2026 and outlines how the network and infrastructure will need to be further developed to allow further growth.