Birmingham’s famous German Christmas market opens this weekend, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to travel by train to enjoy the festivities in the lead-up to Christmas.

The annual event is one of the city’s biggest attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year. Birmingham New Street – along with Birmingham Moor Street and Birmingham Snow Hill – will once again play a key role in helping people travel safely in and out of the city centre.

Last year, more than nine million passengers used Birmingham New Street during the Christmas market period. This year, the region’s rail industry is once again prepared to support the expected crowds, working together to ensure journeys are safe, smooth and enjoyable.

Network Rail, Birmingham City Council, British Transport Police, and train operators have been planning for the event with measures in place to manage larger passenger numbers.

Patrick Power, head of stations and passenger experience for Network Rail’s Central route, said:

“We love this time of year and seeing the city centre bustling with people. While we’re ready to welcome everyone to the station, we ask passengers to follow our three golden rules – plan your journey, know your last trains, and respect staff and each other – to help make journeys as smooth as possible. We will have extra staff across the station to provide advice and information and to help keep passengers safe, and we can’t wait to welcome people throughout the festive season.”

Jonny Wiseman, WMR customer experience director, said:

“We are looking forward to welcoming visitors into Birmingham’s city centre this Christmas. With plenty of festive events taking place, services will be busy in the run-up to Christmas, so please plan your journey in advance and be kind to staff and fellow passengers.”

Michael Stewart, Commercial and Customer Strategy Director at Chiltern Railways, added:

“The build-up to Christmas is always a special time in Birmingham, with many customers flocking to the city to enjoy the festivities. As stations and trains will be busier than usual, please plan your journeys ahead of travelling.”

As part of ongoing partnership working between Network Rail and Birmingham City Council, a dedicated anti-social behaviour team will be based at Birmingham New Street, supported by increased British Transport Police presence and St John Ambulance volunteers. Train operators will also strengthen some services to help keep passengers moving.

With trains and platforms expected to be busier than normal, queuing systems may be in place at peak times to ensure people can board trains home safely.

Image: West Midlands Railway