OREANDA-NEWS. As part of Network Rail’s multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan, the Chase Line - which runs through Bloxwich from Walsall and Rugeley in the north to Birmingham New Street in the south – is to be electrified. This work will enable a more reliable service to run on the line. To allow this to happen, the level crossing on Willenhall Lane will be closed.

Two information events are being held between 10am and 6pm, the first on Thursday 13 October 2016 at Bloxwich Library, Elmore Row, Walsall WS3 2HR and the second on Friday 14 October 2016 at Walsall Borough Council House, Lichfield Street, Walsall, WS1 1TW. Representatives from the project team will be on hand to provide information on the work, outline the timetable of that work and to answer any questions that the public may have.

Work is expected to start in spring 2017, with completion proposed in winter 2017.

Network Rail and Walsall Council are currently working on a plan to address the expected impact a closure would have on local people.  Details of this plan will be made available at these events for local people to have their say.

Matt Brown, scheme project manager for Network Rail said: “This project is key to modernising the railway through the area and providing passengers with a more reliable, better railway.

“We understand that in delivering this project some members of the local community will be impacted by the closure of the level crossing. That is why Network Rail and Walsall Borough Council are working closely to address the anticipated impact and we welcome the thoughts of local people.

“Our Railway Upgrade Plan is delivering significant investment into the railway network which will provide a better, more reliable railway for passengers.” 

Cllr Lee Jeavons, Deputy Leader, Walsall MBC: Portfolio holder for regeneration and transport said: I welcome feedback from the people of Walsall on the plans to electrify the Chase Railway line in the Spring of 2017. These two drop in events will help us understand the long-term significance of the Railway Upgrade Plan and what the benefits are for residents and those businesses and commuters who travel to Walsall and the wider Black Country daily. In my opinion the proposed work will provide a more reliable service and this is good news for Walsall's economy and the travelling public."

Network Rail owns, manages and develops Britain's railway - the 20,000 miles of track, 40,000 bridges and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations (the largest of which we also run). In partnership with train operators we help people take more than 1.65bn journeys by rail every year and move hundreds of millions of tonnes of freight, saving almost 8m lorry journeys. We employ 36,000 people across Britain and work round-the-clock, each and every day, to provide a safe, reliable railway