TRAIN journeys across Worcestershire are set to be disrupted across the Christmas break, with Worcester, Bromsgrove and Kidderminster set to be the most affected.
Due to Christmas markets, amended timetables and rail infrastructure upgrades, services are expected to be busier than usual across the railway network.
Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve, the last planned train from Birmingham New Street to Bromsgrove will leave at 7.53pm and arrive at 8.24pm, while the last train leaving Bromsgrove for Birmingham will leave at 8.29pm.
The final train to Kidderminster will leave Birmingham Moor Street at 8.01pm and arrive at 8.43pm, with the last train going in the opposite direction leaving Kidderminster at 8.07pm.
The final train from Birmingham New Street to Worcester Foregate Street, via Droitwich, leaves at 7.50pm and arrives at 8.33pm, and the final train in the opposite direction leaves Worcester at 6.24pm.
The final train from Redditch to Birmingham New Street will leavce at 8.01pm, and the final journey going in the opposite direction will leave Birmingham at 7:15pm and arrive back in Redditch at 7.53pm.
Over Christmas
No trains will be running on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
On December 28, services between Worcester and Kidderminster/Bromsgrove will be operated by rail replacement buses until 4pm.
Routes on the Cross City Line between Birmingham and Lichfield Trent Valley will be operated by rail replacement buses from 10pm on New Year’s Eve until 10am on New Year’s Day.
New Year’s Eve
On New Year’s Eve, the final train from Birmingham New Street to Worcester Foreghate Street, via Bromsgrove and Droitwich, will leave at 10.30pm and arrive in Worcester at 11.24pm.
The last train going in the opposite direction will leave Worcester Foregate Street at 10.06pm.
The last train from Bromsgrove to Birmingham will leave at 11.31pm, and the last one going to Bromsgrove will leave Birmingham at 10.53pm and arrive at 11.26pm.
The final train of the year going to Redditch from Birmingham will leave at 11.13pm and arrive at 11.53pm.
The train going in the other direction will leave at 11.31pm.
And the final journey from Birmingham Snow Hill to Kidderminster will leave at 11pm and arrive at 11.42pm, with the one going in the opposite direction leaving Kidderminster at 11.08pm.
Jonny Wiseman, LNR customer experience director, said: “We’re encouraging passengers travelling over Christmas to plan their journeys in advance.
“Due to engineering works, rail replacement buses may be in operation for certain routes, so make sure to check journey planners and ensure you leave plenty of time to travel.”
Visit www.wmr.uk/festivetravel for more information.
