Birmingham New Street station will close to all train services over the Christmas period as major engineering works take place as part of a £13 million programme to improve the reliability of rail journeys through the city.
The first phase of work will run from Thursday 24 December to Bank Holiday Monday 28 December 2026, with no train services operating to or from Birmingham New Street during this period.
The closure forms part of a three-year programme to replace ageing overhead line equipment through the station. The work is designed to reduce faults and improve the long-term reliability of journeys through one of the UK’s busiest railway stations.
During the closure, train operators will make alternative arrangements for passengers. Depending on the route, services may be diverted around Birmingham New Street, call at nearby stations with alternative transport connections, or be replaced by rail replacement buses.
Tram services will also be affected, with trams terminating at Birmingham New Street and restarting from the nearest open station on each route.
Christmas timetables are now available through journey planners, and passengers are encouraged to check their journeys in advance to understand how the closure may affect their travel plans.
Plan ahead before travelling
Anyone planning to travel by rail over the Christmas period should check their journey before setting off, allow extra time and consider alternative routes where necessary.
For the latest information about the station closure and planned engineering works, visit National Rail’s New Street closure information page.
Passengers can also check their journey using the National Rail Journey Planner.
