Redditch Branch Improvements

When the Redditch Railway was constructed the Redditch to Barnt Green line in the 1850's it was built to double track standards in that all cuttings and embankments were made wide enough for two tracks as are all bridges over the railway. However many of the bridges under the railway are only built to single track standards including the bridge over The Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Alvechurch and the bridge over Windsor Road in Redditch. The brick parapets on both bridges are wide enough to take two tracks if the girder work carrying the rail line were to be extended. During the Second World War serous consideration was given to doubling the line as an alternative to the mainline through Bromsgrove and because a new factory for High Duty Alloys Ltd was constructed beside the rail line at Redditch. The factory was located with the idea to provide a siding to transport the castings they make for the aircraft industry. This plan for the siding and double track came to nothing.

As part of the franchise agreement for London Midland who are the current rail operator of the train service to Redditch they were committed, subject to funding being available, to increase the frequency of the rail service to Redditch from two to three trains an hour and introduce a similar frequency to Bromsgrove. This requires electrification of the rail line from Barnt Green to Bromsgrove, a new station at Bromsgrove and doubling of some of the single line from Barnt Green to Redditch. The other original commitment to increase all trains on the Cross City service from Redditch/Bromsgrove to Lichfield to 6 cars is unlikely to be achieved. The additional trains needed for the increased frequency to Redditch and the service to Bromsgrove could only be achieved with an order for additional Class 350 electric trains thus allowing extra Class 323 units to be released off other London Midland services onto the Cross City line. The work on doubling a section of the Redditch was completed by 1st September 2014 and the three trains an hour to Redditch were introduced with the start of the winter timetable on Monday 15th December 2014. 

The scheme was to double the branch line from just north of the road bridge over Weights Lane to a point just before the bridge over the canal at Alvechurch a distance of around 3km or 1.8 miles which is around 40% of the total length of the line from Redditch to Barnt Green.  This also meant an extra platform was constructed at Alvechurch station. This enlarged station has been provided with a new footbridge which as well as providing passenger access to both platforms will also allow the current foot crossing at the south of the station for a public right of way to be diverted via the footbridge to improve public safety in the area.  

The timeline for the project was :

Autumn 2011 - First round of public consultation

Winter 2011 - There was a review of the initial consultation - Click here for the results

Spring 2012 - Further consultation was undertaken

Autumn / Winter 2012 - On 4 September 2012 plans for the project were submitted  to the Planning Inspectorate for the necessary powers to deliver the scheme.

Autumn / Winter 2013 - Construction started

Summer 2014 - The majority of work will be done during July/August 2014 when the line between Redditch and Barnt Green will be closed for periods and the train service will be replaced by a bus service. This work was completed on 1st September 2014

14th December 2014 - The three trains an hour started running to/from Redditch

During April 2011 it was announced that Siemens would construct a further 20 Class 350 EMUs. 10 are to be allocated to the London Midland franchise. These new units will enable 3 additional Class 323s to be allocated to the cross city line giving enough units to run a 20 minute frequency train service to Redditch and also run a 20 minute frequency extending the remainder of the cross city services from Longbridge to Bromsgrove once the line from Barnt Green to Bromsgrove is electrified and a new station is built at Bromsgrove

Click here for a map of the project

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Redditch Branch was closed for Leaf Fall Braking tests

 

The The Barnt Green to Redditch branch was closed on Sundays 6, 13, 20 and 27 October 2019 to allow for special test trains to trial new methods of braking designed to reduce delays during the leaf fall season. Buses replaced trains on the branch during the closures. Targeted jets of sand were sprayed in front of the individual train wheels before they passed over rails that had been made artificially slippy as if leaves had fallen on them. This is a development of an existing method but these trials aimed to target specific wheels when they started to slip, applying sand as an when it was needed to see if it reduces the need to brake or decrease speed of the train. Network Rail carried these tests in partnership with West Midlands Trains and the Rail Safety and Standards Board.  

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