Network Rail have written to residents living near the cross-city line to inform them of planned vegetation removal on Sunday 13th March 2022, between 00:35 and 8:50am.
They have warned that this will require use of chainsaws and other powered hand tools, generators and lights, as well as on track machinery and equipment. They have said that this will result in a level of unavoidable light and noise disturbance, but they will do what they can to keep this to a minimum. This work is to take place between University and Kings Norton stations, with the access point being Selly Oak station.
Network Rail claim this is due to more frequent patterns of bad weather which has caused damage to many trees around the West Midlands, bringing them down onto railway lines. This, in turn, disrupts services, delays passengers and costs taxpayers due to clean-up bills and compensation.
Network Rail have advised that if you want more information about work taking place in your area, call the 24 hour helpline on 03457 11 41 41, quoting BAG1 44m 1430yrd – 47m 1100yrd.
For more information on how Network Rail manage vegetation by the railway, visit https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/living-by-the-railway/vegetation/