A new railway alliance will boost rail capacity across the Midlands by 30%, enabling hundreds of extra trains to run daily and cutting journey times by up to 20 minutes on some routes.
The Midlands Rail Hub Alliance brings together Network Rail, Balfour Beatty, AtkinsRealis, and Systra to deliver infrastructure improvements across the heart of England. The project will transform connections between Birmingham, Nottingham, Derby, Hereford, and Worcester through new track, upgraded lines, and better stations.
At the centre of the plans is a new railway chord at Bordesley, Birmingham, which will create direct routes and ease congestion on existing lines. The improvements will benefit both passenger services and freight movement, supporting commuters and businesses across the region.
The alliance approach combines expertise from rail and construction sectors to streamline delivery of the complex infrastructure programme. This collaborative method aims to ensure efficient planning and reduce potential delays as the project moves from design to construction.
The Midlands Rail Hub forms part of the government's wider investment in Britain's railway network, designed to create better connectivity and support economic growth. The confirmation of the alliance marks a significant step forward from planning into active delivery of these vital transport improvements.