Digbeth's venues put the Midlands Rail Hub fight on the street last Sunday. The Save Digbeth Block Party took over Lower Trinity Street in Birmingham on 11 October, with a 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM street programme and Club Colette afters listed through 1:00 AM. KISS and Save Our Scene framed it as a public ask for a proper plan around the rooms and businesses sitting in the proposed works zone. Afterward, TCTS described it as a great party for a great cause, without making a wider attendance or campaign-outcome claim.
The line matters. The campaign is not arguing that Birmingham does not need better rail. Save Our Scene says the current proposals could demolish or displace venues and businesses including Club Colette, XOYO, The Night Owl, Mama Roux's, Luna Springs, Suki10c and The Drop Inn, and is asking for a rethink, relocation and transition support, compensation, a clear timeline and a seat at the table.
Officially, the Midlands Rail Hub process is still in motion. GOV.UK's screening decision covers Birmingham Moor Street Station enhancements and widening the Bordesley Viaduct. Network Rail said the first consultation ran from 6 July to 28 August 2026, drew more than 3,500 responses, and will be followed by refined proposals for a second consultation in summer 2027 before an expected Transport and Works Act Order application in early 2028.
That leaves a long window where the cultural damage can either be planned around or treated as background noise. Digbeth BID's response keeps the same shape: support for rail investment in principle, plus a call for an independent economic and business disruption impact assessment and an options and viability analysis before the 2027 consultation.
For clubland, the practical concern is basic: a night-time district is infrastructure too. You can improve the route into the city and still lose the rooms people were travelling for.