West Midlands 30-year Rail Strategy: 2018-47

[The Planner]

Adding to the previous posts by @Old Hill Bank and @The Planner, from a brief glance at the document linked and the overview on page 18, in terms of new stations (feel free to correct me):

• Worcestershire Parkway (under construction, opening 2019/20)
• Camp Hill Line (under advanced development I understand)
• Willenhall & Darlaston (under development)

I know the plans for University will most likely be going ahead once funding is secured as it is quite a priority in terms of implementation (due to current crowding issues). The others as already mentioned are far less likely for the time being.

University is a dead cert though will get cut back on cost I would bet. Perry Barr needs doing for the Commonwealth games so file under University. Willenhall and Darlaston are probably at the same point as the Camp Hill stations in terms of development. Rugby Parkway I think is a requirement as part of all the house building on that side of Rugby and is around GRIP stage 3 last I heard.

 

[BowesRanger]

I know it'll never happen, but would be nice to see the 'Shrewsbury corner' between Wolverhampton and crewe electrified sometime this century...

 

[option]

Is 14tph (8 stoppers, 6 Express) between New Street and Bournville by 2034 realistic...? I really don't know, but it seems busy as it is now...

I presume you'd send all the South west cross country services by Camp Hill otherwise no chance.

If only the rail bridge over the Selly Oak bypass had been built wider...
There's space to get a third (centre) track in all the way from Mary Vale Rd to nearly Pritchatts Rd, which would allow a bypass of Bournville/Selly Oak/University stations. Current CrossCity services take 5 minutes for that section. (3 new rail bridges needed)

 

[Harbornite]

If only the rail bridge over the Selly Oak bypass had been built wider...
There's space to get a third (centre) track in all the way from Mary Vale Rd to nearly Pritchatts Rd, which would allow a bypass of Bournville/Selly Oak/University stations. Current CrossCity services take 5 minutes for that section. (3 new rail bridges needed)

Time to reopen the old route via Lifford perhaps?

(Tongue firmly placed in cheek)

 

[option]

Time to reopen the old route via Lifford perhaps?

(Tongue firmly placed in cheek)

Someone built on it

Apart from the section alongside part of York Close by Mary Vale Rd, & the box under the Pershore Rd, & the overbridge at Kings Norton station, there's nothing particularly difficult with getting a third track between Kings Norton & Bournville.

 

[deltic08]

Just waded through the whole Report. As far as I can see, 12 tph between New St and Kings Norton is impossible with a mix of CrossCity stoppers and XC non=stoppers. Whoever compiled this report knows nothing about operating a route. It is too intensive to work.