Work to improve and upgrade the signalling system at Birmingham New Street station has reached a major milestone.

Over the last 15 months more than 230 miles of cabling has been laid to connect 64 new LED colour light signals at the station.

Ten new equipment buildings have also been constructed, as well as the installation of 60 axle counters.

The new signalling system will eventually be controlled from the state-of-the-art West Midlands Signalling Centre in Saltley.


Until the end of this year control will continue from the Grade II listed Birmingham New Street Power Signal Box on Brunel Street.

Built in the 1960s, its switching systems have continuously kept the region’s trains moving safely for decades.

But now all the signals and equipment across the station have been brought up to 21st century standards, the phased decommissioning of New Street’s power signal box can begin.

Total switch over to the new system will take place this Christmas making it the final piece of a signalling jigsaw which has seen improvements across the wider West Midlands region since 2005.

The New Street work has been the most complex part of that work with rolling platform closures since April 2021.