Redditch-Barnt Green railway line works closure 'needed'
The benefits of a new railway line "outweigh the costs of disruption" of two months of closures, an MP has claimed.
Network Rail is building a new section of track near Redditch so one extra train can run per hour.
To do the work, the line will be closed from Barnt Green to Redditch from 6 July to 31 August.
Redditch County's Conservative MP Karen Lumley said the improvements were "much needed".
She added: "I believe the benefits of the new line outweigh the costs of disruption.
"This is a huge programme of work and will mean increasing frequency and therefore capacity and reliability for consumers."
Network Rail also wants to redevelop Alvechurch station, adding a new platform and footbridge.
Train operator London Midland has commissioned replacement bus services which will run from Barnt Green station, the Red Lion pub in Alvechurch and Redditch station during the line closure.
The services will take passengers to a train station further down the line on the Cross City route.
Passengers are advised to allow an extra 30 minutes to their usual journey time.
People who prefer not to use the replacement bus services are advised to drive to Longbridge where there are parking spaces around six minutes walk from the station, which cost £1.50 all day.
The car park and station at Alvechurch will close completely while works are carried out.
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Mike Ashton said: "While the downtime is unfortunate we are sure that the improvements made to the line will be a benefit to all local businesses.
"The work has been scheduled to happen during the holiday period so normal commuting traffic should be lighter."
Visit Worcestershire tourism development officer Victoria Carman said although the scheme was good for the long-term "infrastructure of the county", her organisation hoped it would not reduce the amount of visitors from Birmingham visiting north Worcestershire attractions this summer.