REDDITCH residents are being warned they are in for a bumpy summer if they plan on travelling by train.

As part of a £100m investment package aiming to boost rail services to the town passengers have been told that the extent of the work will mean an eight-week closure of the railway between Barnt Green and Redditch.

Work will start later this year to increase the frequency of trains between Barnt Green and Redditch and redevelop the station at Alvechurch to provide a better railway for passengers.

Nearly three kilometres of new railway will be built from Alvechurch station towards Redditch and the new doubled-section of track will allow three trains an hour to run in each direction between Barnt Green and Redditch, rather than the two trains an hour which currently operate.

Alvechurch station will be transformed with an additional platform, a new footbridge and lifts being built, providing a better station and step-free access for passengers.

Network Rail has worked closely with London Midland to plan the work.

Liam Sumpter, area director for Network Rail, said: “These improvements will provide a more frequent and reliable rail service for passengers, allowing additional trains to serve Alvechurch and Redditch every hour.

"We are also making improvements to Alvechurch station which will have better facilities and be fully accessible for the first time.

“Combined with electrification, resignalling, linespeed improvements and a new station at Bromsgrove, £100m is being invested in the railway in north Worcestershire to provide a better service and facilities for passengers.

“There will be some short-term disruption while the work is carried out and passengers are being advised to always check before they travel to and from Redditch over the summer for the latest information.”

Mark Goodall, London Midland’s head of cross city services, said, “I apologise to passengers for the temporary disruption they will face while these essential works are carried out. Ultimately, this work programme will lead to a more frequent and reliable rail service, which is better news for everyone.”

"Replacement coach services will operate during the closure from Redditch, Barnt Green and Alvechurch, connecting passengers to cross city rail services.

The closure will be in place on four Sundays in June and for eight weeks between July and August.

For more information as well as updates, visit londonmidland.com/redditch.