Midlands Rail Hub

Infrastructure and Construction

Record date: 31 March 2026

Whole-life cost: £948.4m
Published schedule: 01/04/2017 – 31/12/2040
NISTA delivery confidence: Not disclosed
Senior responsible owner: Stephen Sutcliffe

What the project is for

The Midlands Rail Hub programme will improve connectivity between South Wales, the South-west of England, the West and East Midlands, by delivering additional rail capacity into central Birmingham, to promote growth in the regional Midlands economies. At its heart are two new chords at Bordesley which enable new connections into Moor Street and relieve the congested New Street. The programme will be progressed in multiple phases, with the first (the West and Central scope, for improved services between Birmingham, to the South West, Cardiff, and Worcester) currently in detailed design, and later phases (between the West and East Midlands and extending Worcester services to Hereford) in earlier stages of development.

Departmental delivery commentary

Compared to financial year 24-25-Q4, the NISTA Delivery Confidence Assessment rating at 25/26-Q4 remained at AMBER. This is due to the following factors: the confirmation by the Chancellor of funding to progress the next stage of Midlands Rail Hub at the 2025 Spending Review, and Network Rail’s recent appointment and mobilisation of the Alliance contractor who will design and build the Western scope, represent a significant step forward for the programme. However, we continue to manage a number of significant risks, including affordability of operational expenditure and rolling stock choices, as well as new potential risks associated with the proposed transfer of MRH sponsorship from DfT into Network Rail. We are also continuing to examine the value for money and affordability of accelerating delivery and progressing the Eastern and Hereford scope.

Schedule

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the project's end-date at 25/26-Q4 remained at 31/12/2040. This is primarily due to the following factors‚ The West Scope is on-track to be in service in the early 2030s. Development of later phases of the scheme, to the East Midlands and between Worcester and Hereford, is continuing and will be used to inform future investment decisions.

Cost

Compared to financial year 24/25 the project’s departmental agreed Whole Life Cost from FY 24/25-Q4 (measured in £m) has not changed at 1569. The Whole Life Costs for the Programme are being reviewed as part of an updated business case for the whole programme.

Benefits

Compared to financial year 24/25 the project’s departmental agreed Benefits from FY 24/25-Q4 (measured in £m) has not changed at 1817. The Benefits for the Programme are being reviewed as part of an updated business case for the whole programme.