Archive for category: News

Join us on Tuesday December 27th,  the day after Boxing Day, for a 5-mile walk on a route to Withybed Green where we join the canal towpath before turning back to Barnt Green via Cobley Hill.  We are calling this event the ‘Mulled Wine Walk’ because we intend to end up at Café Morso for refreshments at about 4.30pm.

mulled-wine-walk-revised

There will be lots to enjoy including the views of Arrow Valley, the fresh air, the company and just taking time out to unwind after the hectic Christmas activities.

The walk is being led by Simon Richards, the parish footpaths warden.  There is no charge to take part in the walk which will set out from Millennium Park (Hewell Road) at 1pm.  All ages are welcome, but young children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

You will need some money if staying for the refreshments at the end, stout walking shoes and wet-weather gear, just in case!  But even if it rains, please do come and take this opportunity to walk off the Christmas pudding – just turn up, you will be warmly welcomed!

Message received from Network Rail, Wednesday 26th October 2016:

Starting today, 26th October, ABC will be installing HV and LV cable ducting in Platforms 1 and 2 at Barnt Green Station.  The Platforms are due to be handed back to London Midland and back in operational service on 7th November.

Both Platforms (1 & 2) have had entry/exit routes closed to prevent unauthorised passenger access to the site.  The footbridge remains open to the public and allows access to platform 3 from either Fiery Hill Road entrance or from the station car park.

The worksite is demarcated by temporary Heras fencing complete with the usual warning signage.  The shelter at the bottom of the footbridge stairs, on Platform 2/3 remains available for use, as the fencing is located behind the shelter.  Passengers cannot gain unauthorised access to platform 2 from the footbridge.  The pedestrian access from Hewell Lane (OBr 111) onto Platform 2 has been temporarily closed to prevent unauthorised access to the south end of the station.

The actual works involve installing HV and LV cable ducts in Platform 2 and LV ducts in Platform 1.  It is intended that all work takes place during the day, between 08:00 and 17:00hrs.  There is the possibility that ABC may decide to work extra shifts at night depending on progress in the first days of the work.

ABC will be using petrol-driven saws (“Stihl Saw”) to cut the top surface of the platforms.  Excavation will be done using a mini digger and the spoil emptied into a mini digger.  Noise will be kept to a minimum as much as possible – albeit this is a construction worksite.  Once the ducting is installed, the trenches will be backfilled and a temporary “tarmac” surface will complete the work.  ABC will be taking particular care to ensure the surface is safe and even to prevent accidental slips, tips and falls.  The platforms will be completely resurfaced at a later point in the overall programme.

ABC has set up a temporary compound in the station car park in the 10-space bay at the top of Station Approach.  This is demarcated by Heras Fencing, has a locked gate and 24/7 security.  Additionally, ABC has a temporary welfare unit located in the “drop off” parking bays on Fiery Hill Road.  This is to ensure there are adequate facilities for the number of contractor personnel.  Compound locations have been agreed with London Midland and the local council.  There is a traffic management plan in place.

Ian Coleman

Scheme Project Manager

Infrastructure Projects Central Electrification

Bromsgrove District Council has deposited an inspection copy of the Proposed Main Modifications to the Bromsgrove District Plan at the parish council offices, 80 Hewell Road, Barnt Green.

The papers are available to view by anyone during office open hours:

Monday to Thursday 10am – 1pm and Thursday 2pm – 4pm.

The Consultation period runs until 21st September and response forms are also available from the parish council office.

Network Rail have written to Barnt Green residents whose homes back on to the railway to let them know there is likely to be some noise disruption over the four weekends in August.  Work will start at 22:50hrs on the Saturday nights and continue through to 08:50hrs on the Sunday mornings.

The full letter can be seen here: NetworkRail letter to residents 2016-07-12

A subsequent letter detailing further works can be seen here: Network Rail alert to railway works 20 Aug – 7 Nov 2016

Contact details for Network Rail are via: www.networkrail.co.uk / 24-hour National Helpline 03457 11 41 41

It’s worth noting that there will be a complete closure of the railway line between Barnt Green and Bromsgrove station between Wednesday 26th October – Sunday 6th November  2016 inc. for major track and signalling changes.  This will not affect the line between Redditch, Barnt Green and Birmingham; the cross-city service will operate as normal except for Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th November.

Train service details are available via London Midland – www.londonmidland.com and also via the National Rail website: www.nationalrail.co.uk