AN extra three trains per hour will travel between Bromsgrove and Birmingham, starting this weekend - but the move means CrossCountry services to Bromsgrove will stop altogether.

From Sunday, July 29, West Midlands Railway services on the Cross City line, which currently start and terminate at Longbridge, will now operate to and from Bromsgrove, as electrification work is completed after frustrating delays.

The electrification will provide additional services at Bromsgrove throughout the day and a fully electric service between Bromsgrove and Lichfield.

This means there will be up to five trains per hour to and from Birmingham New Street during peak times, and between two and four trains per hour in the off-peak period - an increase from 45 to 132 services on weekdays.

Richard Brooks, customer experience director at West Midlands Railway, said: "Our customers in Bromsgrove will benefit immensely from these new services – with far more choice of when and where they can travel.

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

"Not only are we offering more trains to and from central Birmingham, but also to many other destinations on our network that were previously not served directly from Bromsgrove."

Network Rail has spent £100m on new track, signalling and upgraded power to allow the new electric train service to run.

The new overhead powerlines between Barnt Green and Bromsgrove were switched on in May.

Richard Dugdale, senior sponsor at Network Rail, said: "Bromsgrove passengers are benefiting from more trains to more places as a result of millions of pounds of investment in the railway in the area.

"Working with our partners, the Railway Upgrade Plan is delivering huge benefits across the country and this is the latest example.

"With the new station and electric trains, Bromsgrove now has a railway it can be proud of.”

However the schedule change means CrossCountry services will no longer be calling at Bromsgrove - a decision that has angered Bromsgrove Rail User Group members.

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

First electric train arrives at Bromsgrove. Picture by David Besley

Previously, two trains in each direction called at the station in both the morning and evening at weekday peaks.

A spokesman for CrossCountry said: "The four services we provided on weekdays and Saturdays at this station were included in our timetables to support the local West Midlands train services manage demand for travel into Birmingham.

"Following completion of the investment in a new station and enhanced rail infrastructure, commuters from Bromsgrove now have a significantly improved rail service that no longer needs these very limited CrossCountry stops.

"As a result, and following discussions with the West Midlands Rail Executive, West Midlands Railway and the Department for Transport, the two morning and two evening CrossCountry services will be withdrawn from July 30."