All train doors at Birmingham New Street to close 40 seconds before departures

Train doors at Birmingham New Street now close 40 seconds before departure on all services.

Network Rail has said the new timing, which came into force on November 10, is in use across the station. Previously some doors Avanti West Coast train doors shut 40 seconds before departure times, while West Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, CrossCountry and Transport for Wales doors shut at 30 seconds.

The move has been agreed between NR and the train operators at New Street in a bid to keep passengers safe and on time.

In the last 12 months a third of departures from the station were one minute late.

Steven Ireland, head of stations, security and customer relationship management for Network Rail’s Central route, said: “This change will help passengers have a more reliable and on time journey from Birmingham New Street.

“At this time of year, when we see an increase in visitors for the Christmas markets and events across the city, the station and platform can get really busy. While only a 10 second increase for some services, that extra time allows for everything to be in place to allow the train to leave on time and help to reduce any delays to passengers.”

The change has come in the build-up to Christmas when an average of 175,000 people use the station each Saturday and Sunday as they visit Birmingham’s Christmas market, as well as shops, bars and restaurants.