Published: Wednesday 01st June 2016 | 11.40am
Friday 20th May marked a major milestone in the £78m Walsall-Rugeley electrification project, when an electrification mast was erected at a ceremony at Network Rail’s Walsall Training Centre.
Guests invited included Councillor George Adamson, Leader of the Council, Councillor Gordon Alcott, Economic Development and Planning Portfolio Leader and local M.P’s.
It was followed by an inspection of reconstructed bridge structures along the route to Hednesford that have been rebuilt or modified to allow the electric trains to operate.
Now that the bridge works are complete, work will soon start on the erection of masts and overhead cables over the rest of the route which is due to be completed by December 2017.
The Chase Line electrification of the 15 mile missing link between Walsall and Rugeley has been a strategic priority for Cannock Chase Council for many years.
Electrification, when coupled with increased service frequencies and rail journey time reductions, could support the creation of around 1,600 new jobs and lead to regional economic benefits of around £110m in terms of GVA (Gross Value Added).
Electrification will also lead to the introduction of faster, quieter and more regular services to Birmingham and potentially to Stafford and beyond.
The Council is now talking to partners in promoting upgrades to Cannock, Hednesford and Rugeley Town stations. In particular, the £110m, Mill Green Designer Outlet Village, will provide up to 130 new retail stores, will be in close proximity to Cannock Station and will be a catalyst for further station improvements to cope with anticipated demand for rail travel.
Councillor Gordon Alcott, Portfolio Leader for Economic Development and Planning said “Chase Line electrification is vital to attract new investment to the District and assist regeneration. Electrification of railway services also leads to significant jumps in patronage and revenue, offering faster, quieter, more frequent and comfortable services. The Mill Green Designer Outlet Village is in walking distance of Cannock Station and with 4m visitors a year as well as creating 1,400 new jobs, will have a beneficial impact on the Chase Line rail service.”