Midlands Rail Hub 20m extra seats

[trundlewagon]

"We strongly support the rail proposals… but we don't think that this is the right way to do it."

Helpful of them to suggest a detailed alternative way to expand rail capacity.

In fairness, that FotE is slightly more constructive than what any of the other businesses have come out with!

It's just chapter 642,796 of why nothing ever gets built in this country.

If only they could bury it in a pointless tunnel instead and make it orders of magnitude more expensive, in order to appease the businesses [running out of near derelict premises] like HS2...

 

[The exile]

Other business are affected. The Custard Factory owners are Oval (https://ovalrealestate.com) and have major plans for the area. International Waqf Fund (https://waqf.org) located Sansome St North will believe will lose there premesis for the project. Neither make any refference to the project. The current owners of the old Tesla dealership at the end of the A45 road will also lose part of their site.

The former Dowding Mills / Sulzer site is now a construction site for 190 Camp Hill project (https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/complex/4840) of which parts are semi built and the 26 story tower is a concrete core only. This construction site appears to have ground to a halt since the Midland Rail Hub has had 11 Downing street allocate funds to the Midland Rail Hub project. The flyovers pass immediately in front of probably floors 1-4 of this project and may be why construction has stopped; may be they didn't think it would happen.

Plenty of sites affected yet a google search and media only pickup on the Owl.

Reactions by business owners will of course vary - probably more than by home owners.

Some will see it as a godsend removing a millstone (of an aging property that no-one else wants from their necks); others will be indifferent because their business can be carried on just as well elsewhere (or because they simply own the building but have never seen it); while those whose business is inextricably tied to the immediate local area and who maybe “live above the shop” will be involved not only financially but emotionally.

 

[Snow1964]

Government has given a screening decision on Transport Works Order Act for Bordesley area spurs /new works.

Basically have decided it needs an EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

However there are paragraphs from different consultees, and their comments indicate what concerns them about the scheme

Screening decision for the proposed Transport and Works Act (TWA) application for the Birmingham Moor Street to Bordesley Rail Enhancements scheme, which forms part of the Midlands Rail hub programme.

The proposed works would increase rail capacity in central Birmingham by:

• providing new rail connections between the Camp Hill Line and the Chiltern Main Line
• enhancing Birmingham Moor Street Station
• widening the Bordesley Viaduct
• undertaking associated works at Bordesley Station

Midlands Rail hub portfolio: Transport and Works Act order

Screening decision for the proposed Midlands Rail hub portfolio: Birmingham Moor Street Station to Bordesley enhancements order TWA application.

www.gov.uk

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a8ee61101bbff0bf8f97a49/midlands-rail-hub-portfolio-birmingham-moor-street-station-to-bordesley-enhancements-order-screening-decision.pdf

 

[172007]

Government has given a screening decision on Transport Works Order Act for Bordesley area spurs /new works.

Basically have decided it needs an EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

However there are paragraphs from different consultees, and their comments indicate what concerns them about the scheme

Midlands Rail hub portfolio: Transport and Works Act order

Screening decision for the proposed Midlands Rail hub portfolio: Birmingham Moor Street Station to Bordesley enhancements order TWA application.

www.gov.uk

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a8ee61101bbff0bf8f97a49/midlands-rail-hub-portfolio-birmingham-moor-street-station-to-bordesley-enhancements-order-screening-decision.pdf

Seems on the face of it to a layperson standard and would be expected. It does show why projects are so expensive to plan let alone build though.

 

[59CosG95]

There seems to be a "Save The Digbeth Block Party" event happening this weekend.
https://ra.co/news/86163

Birmingham music venues form alliance to oppose £1.75 billion rail plans
Published
Wed, 7 Oct 2026, 12:15
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Michael Lawson profile image
Michael Lawson
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Five businesses in the Digbeth area of the city have joined forces to oppose proposed demolitions in the area.
Birmingham music venues form alliance to oppose £1.75 billion rail plans image
Five independent venues in Birmingham's Digbeth neighbourhood have joined forces in response to proposed works associated with Network Rail's £1.75 billion Midlands Rail Hub.

The Digbeth Music Venues Alliance, made up of XOYO Birmingham, Club Colette, Mama Roux, Luna Springs and The Night Owl, says the current proposals could demolish or displace more than 50 independent businesses around Lower Trinity Street and the Bordesley Viaduct, an area home to many of the city's most important creative spaces. It says affected venues have not been offered relocation support, guaranteed compensation or a clear timeline.

The alliance has joined forces with campaign group Save Our Scene to stage the Save Digbeth Block Party this Sunday, October 11th. The event will take place across Lower Trinity Street from 2PM to 9PM, with stages at XOYO and Club Colette alongside an outdoor SOS Street Stage. The lineup includes Silva Bumpa, Fleur Shore, Fat Tony and Low Steppa.

Save Our Scene says it has facilitated more than 4,000 emails to Birmingham MP Shabana Mahmood opposing the proposals. The first public consultation closed in August, with more than 3,500 responses, while the next consultation is expected in summer 2027.

 

[BrianW]

Surely they can be bought out/ bought off
and be relocated, whereas the Midland rail Hub is less able to relocate.
How much is this 'consultation' etc process costing us in money and delay?

 

[Bald Rick]

Surely they can be bought out/ bought off

If this project happens, they will be. But it is naturally in their interests to make as much noise as possible.

 

[WAO]

Like COVES at Finmere.

Such small vulnerable private enterprises are usually destroyed by the sluggardly pace of bureaucracy. Ideally they should be accommodated proactively, before proceedings start, avoiding the conflict, delay (and on costs).

Merrie England.

WAO

 

[zwk500]

How much is this 'consultation' etc process costing us in money and delay?

Probably less in both cases than if they weren't consulted and lodged a court case.