Direct Train Route from Swindon to Birmingham May Return
A long-forgotten direct rail route between Swindon and Birmingham could soon be making a comeback. The proposed service, which last operated in the early 2000s, may be reintroduced through the Midlands Rail Hub project, a £1.75 billion investment aimed at enhancing rail connections across the Midlands, South West, and South Wales.
The suggested route would pass through Stroud and Stonehouse, adding over two million extra seats annually between Swindon and Birmingham. This would significantly boost the number of direct seats between the two towns, which last had a direct service over 20 years ago, forcing passengers to change trains in Cheltenham, Gloucester, or Reading.
Swindon North MP Will Stone met with Midlands Connect and rail leaders at Swindon railway station to discuss the potential of the scheme to deliver up to 130 additional trains per week between Swindon and Birmingham. He was joined by Councillor Chris Watts, Cabinet Member for Transport; Councillor Fay Howard, Mayor of Swindon; Tom Lydon, Head of Public Affairs at Great Western Railway; and Adam King, Head of Policy and Partnerships from England's Economic Heartland.
Mr. Stone expressed his enthusiasm, stating, 'It's fantastic that Swindon could benefit from the Midlands Rail Hub expansion. We're a town built on railway connections, and it's great to see Swindon getting an hourly service between a fellow industrial town like Birmingham.'
He further emphasized the scheme's benefits, saying, 'This connection will improve access for residents across the country, with two million extra seats available for passengers passing along the railway between Swindon and Birmingham each year, fostering stronger links between businesses and communities. Innovative projects like the Midlands Rail Hub demonstrate that investments in our railways, fully funded by the Chancellor, are transformative for communities, bringing new jobs and skills to areas across the country.'
The first phase of the Midlands Rail Hub is projected to create over 12,750 jobs and provide broad advantages for travelers in the West Midlands, South Wales, and the South West. This phase has secured funding following Chancellor Rachel Reeves' commitment in the spending review and was also featured in the government's recent 10-year infrastructure strategy.
In late August, it was announced that the project had taken a significant step forward with the identification of the preferred alliance partners, including VolkerRail, Laing O'Rourke, AtkinsRéalis, Siemens Mobility, and Network Rail. Councillor Watts highlighted the importance of improved connectivity, stating, 'Our efforts to grow our increasingly buoyant economy include enhancing our connectivity, and a direct rail link to Birmingham with the potential for an extra 130 trains a week will be a significant boost for our town.'
Andy Clark, rail program lead at Midlands Connect, shared his enthusiasm, saying, 'It was great to meet Will and brief him on the current plans and show him how our work will deliver real benefits for Swindon and his constituents. Swindon could be one of the real winners of the Midlands Rail Hub project.'
He further emphasized the value of a direct service, stating, 'This would be a real boost for passengers. The Midlands Rail Hub is the flagship scheme of Midlands Connect, and it was great to see the impact of this national project reach beyond the Midlands. Residents, commuters, and businesses in Swindon could see real benefits from more trains and more seats.'
