Work has started on electrifying the rail on the Chase Line between Walsall, Cannock and Rugeley Trent Valley.

Due to their low height, three bridges on the 15 mile section of track will need to be rebuilt - the first of which is the Broad Lane bridge at Bloxwich North station. These are being adjusted to accommodate the electric trains and related equipment, a process which will be overseen by local councils, London Midland and Centro.

London Midland's head of cross city service Mark Goodall said: "The electrification of the neighbouring line between Lichfield and Birmingham has been a huge success and we look forward to introducing similar benefits to passengers on the Rugeley to Birmingham route."

Liam Sumpter, Network Rail area director, stated the electric trains will be cleaner, quieter and, due to additional seats, has the ability to increase capacity if the same amount of carriages are kept.

Work on the £30 million scheme is expected to be finished by late 2017 - the electrification stage will start in 2015 after work has finished on the bridges.