No trains at New Street for five days over Christmas

There will be no trains to or from Birmingham New Street for five days over Christmas while Network Rail carries out a 13 million pound upgrade of the station's overhead power lines.

The station will be closed to trains from 24 to 28 December. Much of the overhead wiring, which powers electric trains, dates back to the 1960s.

The first of three Christmases

This year's work is the first phase of a three-year programme, with more work planned over Christmas 2027 and Christmas 2028.

Christmas is chosen because far fewer people travel by train over the holiday, and there are no services on Christmas Day and only limited services on Boxing Day across most of the network.

What passengers can expect

Journeys that would normally pass through New Street will take longer. Rail replacement buses and local bus services will be available, and some trains may run to and from other stations in the city.

The station building will stay open so that people can reach the shops at Grand Central and walk through to the city centre. The assisted travel lounge and toilets will stay open, and staff will be on hand every day to help.

What Network Rail said

Martin Colmey, route director for Network Rail's Central route, said: "Christmas is a quieter time but we know it will affect journeys at an important time." He said the organisation would work to "reduce its impact as much as possible".

Plan ahead

Timetables for Christmas travel are due to be confirmed and published by early October. Passengers planning to visit family over the holidays should check the National Rail website and their train operator before booking, and allow extra time.

Britain's busiest station outside London

New Street is the busiest station in the country outside London and the hub of the national rail network, with trains to London, Scotland, the South West, Wales and the North. Work there affects journeys far beyond Birmingham, which is why it is concentrated into the quietest days of the year.