Full train shutdown on Cross-City North line

National World - LocalTV

A full week of rail disruption is about to hit the Midlands. From 28 July to 3 August, trains will stop running between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley due to essential repairs and viaduct work. Passengers face replacement buses, longer commutes, and diversions. We break down what’s happening—and why.

Transcript

00:00A full shutdown is coming to one of the region's busiest commuter routes.

00:05No trains will run between Birmingham New Street and Litchfield Trent Valley for seven days,

00:10from Monday 28th July to Sunday 3rd August.

00:14The closure was originally tied to HHS2 Works, but with that project delayed,

00:20engineers are pressing ahead with earthworks, drainage repairs, track upgrades and vegetation clearance

00:26along the Cross City North Line.

00:28Above ground, Birmingham City Council is also using the window to reinforce the aging Time Valley Viaduct.

00:36The work is being carried out at the same time to avoid closures later.

00:41South of New Street, services to Redditch and Bromsgrove will still run,

00:45but the northern section will be entirely shut.

00:49Replacement buzzes will run between New Street and both Litchfield and Timebridge Parkway.

00:54Trains to Rugeley-Trent Valley will be diverted through Aston, adding extra time to the journey.

01:01Passengers are being told to plan ahead.

01:03Network Rail says the closure was deliberately scheduled during the school holidays when footfall is lower,

01:09but with summer events and family travel, there's still potential for pressure on the system.

01:15Rail bosses have apologised for the disruption and urged commuters to allow more time.

01:20Some journeys could take up to half an hour longer.

01:24It's part of a wider push to maintain rail infrastructure before problems escalate,

01:30aiming to keep the network safe and reliable long term.

01:33But for passengers this summer, it's yet another reminder of how fragile our transport systems have become.

01:40When one stretch of track shuts, everything slows down.

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