Network Rail is holding its third consultation in Staffordshire to give members of the public the opportunity to comment on plans to solve one of the few remaining bottlenecks on the key rail line connecting London Birmingham Manchester and Scotland.

Last year a preferred scheme was announced which included plans for a new flyover to take Birmingham to Manchester trains up and over the main line rather than across it. Separating the path of services will improve reliability and allow more trains to run on the route.

The investment will provide:

  Two extra fast trains per hour between London and the north west
  One additional train per hour between Manchester (via Stone) and Birmingham
  One additional freight train per hour through Stafford

A second round of public consultation was held in October last year to explore details about construction, road diversions and footpath alterations. After analysis of the feedback and further development of the scheme it was found the road and footpath changes would be complex and disruptive.

Further options have now been developed and will undergo consultation with the local community over the coming weeks. Subject to feedback, it is anticipated a final round of consultation will be held in the summer ahead of submission of the plans to the National Infrastructure Planning Unit in December.

Consultation will take place on diversions to the B5026 around Scamnell Lane and Station Road, Staffordshire and also on footpath 11 in Chebsey.

For more information on the scheme you can visit the website at www.networkrail.co.uk/Stafford-NortonBridge or attend one of the public exhibitions below:

Tuesday 10 April 3pm – 7pm
Chebsey Village Hall, School Lane,
Chebsey, Stafford, ST21 6JU

Wednesday 11 April 11am – 3pm
St Luke’s Church, Station Road,
Norton Bridge, Stafford, St15 0NT

Thursday 12 April 4pm – 8pm
Great Bridgeford Village Hall,
Newport Road, Great Bridgeford,
ST18 9PR

Tuesday 17 April 11am – 3pm
Yarnfield Village Hall, Meece Road,
Yarnfield, ST15 0NR