A new training facility has opened in Birmingham to prepare railway staff and emergency services for dealing with major incidents on the network.
The Birmingham Rail Resilience Hub, developed by Network Rail’s Central route, provides a true-to-life environment featuring tracks, trains, level crossings and other railway infrastructure. The purpose-built site in Aston enables transport providers to train alongside police, fire and ambulance teams in realistic scenarios.
The hub is designed to strengthen collaboration between organisations, improve understanding of challenges faced during incidents, and allow lessons to be learned in a safe setting. It will serve as a national focal point for emergency planning and training, placing the West Midlands at the forefront of resilience preparation.
The facility was officially opened by Denise Wetton, Network Rail’s Central route director, and Martin Colmey, Central route’s operations director, before hosting its first live exercise. The demonstration simulated a vehicle being struck by a train on a level crossing, with passengers on board. Teams assessed the scene, made the area safe, rescued injured people, and began an investigation to enable the railway to reopen.
Denise Wetton said: “Every day, we work round-the-clock to keep the railway running safely for passengers and freight across Britain. But we must be prepared for all eventualities and this facility puts the West Midlands at the forefront of training, readiness for day-to-day disruption and dealing with major incidents. This hub creates a safe, realistic environment which allows the railway, emergency services and industry partners to learn and work together so we are ready to deal with situations in real life.”
The opening exercise involved West Midlands Police, British Transport Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, West Midlands Fire Service, and Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.
Rebecca Hodgkins, Operations Station Commander at West Midlands Fire Service, said: “It’s been fantastic to collaborate with Network Rail and test our response to rail incidents alongside our other amazing blue light partners at this new training facility in Aston – a brilliant step forward in strengthening how we work together.”
James Williams, WMAS Head of Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response, added: “This new training facility is a really useful resource that will allow our crews to realistically prepare for significant incidents on the region’s railways.”
Other organisations in attendance included Nimski, which provided role-play actors, and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB). Andy Lewis, Deputy Chief Inspector at RAIB, said: “A successful response to rail accidents relies on effective collaboration between the agencies involved — from the railway industry to emergency services and accident investigators. This facility offers an invaluable opportunity for teams to train together in realistic scenarios, building the trust and mutual understanding needed to ensure responders are equipped and ready to work together under the pressures of real-world incidents.”
In addition to its training role, the hub also houses Network Rail’s Central route response teams, who are first on site during both everyday incidents and major disruptions. The location, with good access to major roads, will also serve as a secure storage base for specialist equipment needed to carry out repairs and maintain the safe operation of the railway.
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