No trains will run at one of the country’s busiest railway stations over Christmas, it has been confirmed. <\/p>\n
Major engineering works mean there will be no services to or from Birmingham New Street from 24 to 28 December. <\/p>\n
Over the five-day period Network Rail will begin work on a \u00a313m upgrade of the station’s overhead power lines, with much of the wiring dating back to the 1960s.<\/p>\n
Martin Colmey, route director for the Network Rail Central route, said there was “never a good time for this type of work” but efforts had been made to “reduce its impact as much as possible”. <\/p>\n
“Christmas is a quieter time but we know it will affect journeys at an important time of the year,” he added. <\/p>\n
The work in December is the first phase of a three-year programme, with further upgrades taking place over the Christmas period in 2027 and 2028 to improve reliability on the rail network. <\/p>\n
Passengers have been warned by Network Rail that affected journeys will take longer, and may involve using dedicated rail-replacement buses or regular local buses. <\/p>\n
“We want to make people aware as early as possible so they can plan ahead,” Colmey said. <\/p>\n
“As soon as tickets are available to buy for Christmas travel, there will be clear, detailed information to help passengers plan their journeys and make informed decisions.”<\/p>\n
Timetables for Christmas travel will be confirmed and made available online from early October.<\/p>\n
The station building will remain open during the engineering work, allowing people to continue accessing shops, including Grand Central, and the wider city centre.<\/p>\n
Facilities in the station, including the assisted travel lounge and toilets, will remain open and there will be staff on hand every day to provide help and assistance.<\/p>\n