Rail passengers have been alerted to significant changes at Birmingham New Street station aimed at improving punctuality. Starting Sunday, passengers must be on board their train

40 seconds before the scheduled departure, as carriage doors will now close at that time.

This new protocol extends the previous closure time by 10 seconds for certain services and is set to apply across all platforms. Network Rail and train operators implemented this measure to enhance on-time departures and ensure smoother travel for passengers.

Steven Ireland from National Rail explained that the adjustment is intended to boost reliability, especially during busy periods. “At this time of year, when we see an increase in visitors for the Christmas markets and events across the city, the station and platforms can get really crowded,” he said. “Although the change is only an additional 10 seconds for some services, it provides crucial time to finalize preparations for departure, reducing potential delays.”

The new rule will affect services run by West Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, and Transport for Wales, all operating in and out of Birmingham New Street. Photo by Norfolks disused railways, Wikimedia commons.