£1bn Midlands Rail Hub Moves Into Public Consultation as Birmingham Upgrade Plans Progress

Network Rail seeks public feedback on first phase of rail transformation designed to unlock capacity, improve connectivity and reshape services across the Midlands.

Plans for one of the UK's most ambitious railway enhancement programmes have reached a significant milestone, with Network Rail launching a public consultation on the first phase of the £1 billion Midlands Rail Hub.

The consultation focuses on a series of major infrastructure projects around Birmingham Moor Street, laying the groundwork for a substantial increase in rail capacity across the West Midlands and beyond.

The scheme is expected to transform how trains move through Birmingham, enabling more frequent services and creating new opportunities for passengers travelling across the region.

Major Engineering Works Proposed

The first phase of the project centres on the railway between Bordesley and Moor Street, where Network Rail is proposing extensive track and station improvements.

Key elements include:

• Construction of two new rail flyovers (chords) east of Birmingham city centre.

• Two additional platforms at Birmingham Moor Street.

• Widening sections of the historic Bordesley Viaduct.

• Track alterations to increase operational flexibility and capacity.

The improvements are designed to remove bottlenecks that currently restrict the number of trains able to pass through Birmingham, creating space for more passenger services across the wider network.

Consultation to Shape Final Designs

Network Rail says the proposals remain at an early stage, with feedback from residents, passengers and stakeholders helping refine the final design before planning approvals are sought.

The consultation will run for eight weeks, providing communities with an opportunity to comment on the proposals before the scheme progresses to its next stage.

A formal Transport and Works Act Order application is currently expected in 2028, followed by a public inquiry before construction begins.

Bordesley Station Faces Closure

One of the most significant operational changes would see Bordesley station close permanently.

The existing station occupies the land required for the proposed flyovers, meaning its platforms would need to be removed to accommodate the new junctions.

While the closure would affect local rail access, Network Rail argues the wider benefits of increased capacity and improved connectivity across the Midlands outweigh the loss of the station.

Government Backing Continues

The Midlands Rail Hub received renewed Government support following last year's commitment by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to progress key elements of the programme.

Although some components—including additional infrastructure around Water Orton serving the East Midlands—remain without confirmed funding, the latest Spending Review backed the next stage of investment.

Current priorities include improved services linking Birmingham with Cardiff, Worcester and Swindon, alongside the planned return of services on sections of the Cross-City Line.

Alliance Driving Delivery

Delivery of the programme is being coordinated by the Midlands Rail Hub Alliance, established in 2025 to bring together major infrastructure and engineering expertise.

The alliance comprises:

• AtkinsRéalis

• Laing O'Rourke

• Network Rail

• Siemens Mobility

• VolkerRail

The partnership is working alongside Midlands Connect, the West Midlands Rail Executive and the Department for Transport to develop the programme.

Alliance Director Mark Cuzner described the proposals as a crucial step towards delivering the wider vision for rail across the Midlands.

"This programme has the potential to transform connectivity across the region, supporting economic growth, improving journey opportunities and creating additional capacity for millions of passengers."

Work Already Underway

Although major construction around Moor Street is still several years away, preparatory work has already begun elsewhere in Birmingham.

At Birmingham Snow Hill, a former West Midlands Metro terminus has recently been removed to enable the reinstatement of heavy rail services through Platform 4, representing one of the first visible stages of the wider programme.

If approvals proceed as anticipated, construction of the Moor Street–Bordesley section is expected to begin around 2030, marking the start of one of the most significant rail capacity upgrades the Midlands has seen in decades.