THE electrification of the line to Bromsgrove Railway Station has been identified as one of Network Rail’s key projects as part of their £550 million investment in rail infrastructure in the region.

Funding for the electrification of the line had previously been secured but Network Rail has announced the work, costing £65 million, is a scheme forming part of its £37.5 billion plan to develop UK's railway infrastructure - making it one of their priorities.

Electrification is a crucial as it will enable an increase to three trains per hour running between Redditch, Bromsgrove and Birmingham New Street.

The move to electrification would also support the multi-million pound planned transformation of the Aston Fields-based station.

Under the work the southern end of the Cross City Line between Barnt Green and Bromsgrove would be electrified. There is also a proposal for the laying of a new section of line between Alvechurch and Redditch, with a second platform and footbridge at Alvechurch station.

Network Rail say the scheme would be delivered between 2014 and 2019, though electrification work could be carried out during the early part of this period, especially as the new station is earmarked for a 2015 opening.

Dyan Crowther, Network Rail’s managing director, said: “Our route plan sets out the investment we are making for the future, with a particular focus on electrification to help create a bigger, better railway.

“In just seven years time we will have dramatically improved rail travel between the key towns and cities of the West Midlands, enabling the provision of more trains and more seats to help drive economic growth.”