Editing Chase Line (section)

===Effects of electrification of the line===
The electrification of the line was accompanied by a speed increase from {{cvt|45|mph}} to {{cvt|60|mph|}}. Bloxwich level crossing closed to motorised traffic in January 2018, and the bridge at Central Drive, north of the crossing, had been strengthened and widened to improve the alternative route. This enabled a {{cvt|25|mph}} speed limit to be lifted to {{cvt|50|mph}}. It also enabled the line to transport [[Freight route utilisation strategy|W10 freight containers]].

For passengers using the stations north of Walsall, the changes meant shorter journey times<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.go-hs2.com/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.aspx?lID=100&sID=63| title=High speed rail and supporting investments in the West Midlands| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812210247/http://www.go-hs2.com/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.aspx?lID=100&sID=63| archive-date=12 August 2014}}</ref> and longer trains, which reduced overcrowding to Birmingham with 2 trains per hour (tph) for the whole day, continuing direct to [[Birmingham International railway station|Birmingham International]] (1tph). The electrification itself created over 1,300 jobs in the area and generated a further £113 million of [[gross value added]] (GVA) benefit per annum, as well as reducing the operating costs of the line. In May 2014, London Midland announced that it was intending to run longer trains<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2014/05/17/more-seats-on-trains-after-30-million-chase-line-work/ |title=More seats on trains after £30m Chase Line work |date=17 May 2014 |access-date=21 March 2018 |archive-date=11 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011072149/https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2014/05/17/more-seats-on-trains-after-30-million-chase-line-work/ |url-status=live }}</ref> on the route, requiring station platforms to be extended to accommodate.

[[Gavin Williamson]], Conservative MP for South Staffordshire, campaigned to limit the speed of trains through Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay when the upgrade work of the line was to be completed. He wrote to then Transport Secretary [[Patrick McLoughlin]], to request confirmation that trains travelling through the areas would not exceed a speed of 45&nbsp;mph.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gavinwilliamson.org/news/mp-meets-under-secretary-state-over-speed-trains-through-great-wyrley-cheslyn-hay-0 |title=Gavin Williamson MP meets with the under secretary of state over speed of trains through Great Wyrley and Cheslyn Hay |date=11 February 2014 |access-date=10 August 2014 |archive-date=12 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812210204/http://www.gavinwilliamson.org/news/mp-meets-under-secretary-state-over-speed-trains-through-great-wyrley-cheslyn-hay-0 |url-status=live }}</ref> He also requested that "environmental mitigation measures" be put in place to reduce the potential impact of the electrification on residents in South Staffordshire. Network Rail had previously said that electric trains are quieter, greener and cleaner, reducing carbon emissions.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2013/nov/Work-is-underway-to-electrify-the-Chase-Line/ |title=Network rail announcement for the Chase Line upgrade |access-date=10 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112175440/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2013/nov/Work-is-underway-to-electrify-the-Chase-Line/ |archive-date=12 November 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>