Six station Chase Line revamp ahead

Six railway stations are to be revamped as part of a £2.1million programme of investment on the Chase Line which runs through Staffordshire into the West Midlands.

New waiting shelters, seating and CCTV cameras are among the improvements planned for stations in Rugeley Town, Hednesford, Cannock, Landywood, Bloxwich North and Bloxwich.

Rail operator London Midland, Network Rail and transport authority Centro are investing £1.7million to significantly improve facilities early next year. A further £400,000 has also been found to provide real time train running information.

The work at the stations, which also includes help points, enhanced lighting, better signage and new ticket machines, will take two to three months to complete as part of the National Stations Improvement Programme (NSIP).

London Midland services on the Chase Line operate into the heart of Birmingham, but now also have connecting services with the Trent Valley line which means passengers can travel on from Rugeley Trent Valley to London Euston, or north to Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent.

London Midland commercial director Alex Hynes said: "Travelling will be more comfortable for passengers on the Chase Line.

"This is a big investment in facilities and along with proposed line speed improvements and better connections. This is a great example of how working in partnership is boosting travel for rail passengers."

Councillor Tim Huxtable, Centro's lead member for rail, said: "We've listened carefully to local organisations such as the Cannock Chase Rail Promotion Group and know how important this railway line is to them.

"That's why Centro is putting £900,000 towards this project, to make sure passengers get the facilities they need."

Darren Horley, of Network Rail, added: "This investment is great news for passengers. This long-awaited and much needed investment will make the stations safer and more user-friendly."