THE TRIAL of the regular rail service between Bewdley and Birmingham is set to begin on September 1, it has been confirmed.
The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) has joined forces with West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) and West Midlands Railway to launch a unique eight-week trial. It will test the feasibility of extending regular services between the town and the Second City.
Heritage steam and diesel trains will operate over the three-and-a-half-mile section of the Severn Valley Railway between Kidderminster and Bewdley. Those services will connect with West Midlands Railway’s exisisting services to and from Birmingham. Passengers will change trains at Kidderminster to complete their journey.
‘How it will work’
The arrangement is believed to be one of the first of its kind in the UK. Mainline rail ticket holders will travel over part of their journey on a heritage railway, hauled by heritage locomotives and operated by heritage railway staff.
The trial forms part of a longer-term project to assess the potential for introducing regular passenger rail services between Bewdley and the wider West Midlands rail network.
The SVR’s heritage Diesel Multiple Unit will haul the morning commuter services from Bewdley to Kidderminster. Picture by Anthony Carwithen. s
If demand is demonstrated, it could pave the way for selected services that currently terminate at Kidderminster to be extended to Bewdley in future.
The weekday commuter service will operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the trial. There will be two morning departures from Bewdley at 6.40am and 7.40am.
After connecting at Kidderminster, passengers will arrive at Birmingham Snow Hill at 7.46am and 8.46am respectively, with a total journey time of just over an hour.
Evening return services will leave Birmingham Snow Hill at 4.46pm and 5.46pm. They will arrive back in Bewdley at 5.57pm and 7.02pm following a change at Kidderminster.
The project aims to assess passenger demand and demonstrate the wider benefits of connecting Bewdley more closely with the regional and national rail network.
With significant housing growth in the area, improved rail connectivity has the potential to reduce road congestion for commuters while making Bewdley an even more accessible destination for leisure, tourism and business.
We revealed the initial discussions over the proposals on last week’s Kidderminster Standard front page.
‘A great collaboration to be part of’
Richard Parker, the Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE), said he was committed to building an affordable, reliable and better connected transport system.
He highlighted £2.4billion investment across the region. That will be spent on tram routes, new railway stations and bringing the bus network back under public control.
But he added: “This pilot shows how we can improve our network by being more innovative with the infrastructure we already have.
“And what better way to start or end your daily commute than onboard a heritage Severn Valley Railway locomotive.”
Denise Wetton, integrated managing director, GBR West Midlands said she was delighted WMR was supporting the trial.
She described it as ‘a great example of collaboration and innovative thinking across the rail industry to benefit customers’.
“Improving connectivity across the region is hugely important in supporting the economy. And, by better utilising our existing rail infrastructure, we can offer an attractive alternative to the car and encourage more people to travel by train.”
Sharon Harvey, Mayor of Bewdley, said the town council warmly welcomed the exciting trial in direct response to the strong local demand for better public transport links.
“It has the potential to improve access to employment, education and leisure opportunities, while bringing more visitors into the town to support local businesses.”
She urged everyone to use the service during the trial to help demonstrate the case for a permanent rail connection.
Gus Dunster, the SVR’s chief executive officer, said it was a hugely exciting opportunity for the Severn Valley Railway, enabling it to support an important regional transport scheme.
“It also sees our railway fulfilling the purpose it was originally built for by carrying everyday passengers between Bewdley and Kidderminster.
“It is a highly unusual arrangement that will see main line rail passengers completing part of their journey on a heritage railway using their normal rail tickets.”
He added the SVR was delighted to be providing the trains – both Diesel Multiple Units and steam-hauled return trains – and crews for the heritage section of the journey.
Further details, including timetables and ticketing arrangements, will be announced in due course.
