New train stations plan still on track for town

PLANS for two new railway stations for passengers in Walsall will hinge on a crunch vote later this year.

Walsall Council planners have set a target date for October for deciding on whether or not to grant permission for the new facilities in Darlaston and Willenhall.

The original stations in those areas were closed in 1965 and only through trains have used the line since.

Initial plans for the project, which is being led by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and the West Midlands Rail Executive, were submitted to Walsall

Council earlier this year.

Now a full application has been registered with planning officers, giving a target decision date of October 20.

It is hoped work will start on the new stations next year and be completed by the end of 2022.

The new Willenhall station will be sited next to Bilston Street railway bridge, close to the town centre, while derelict land next to Kendricks Road bridge will be where Darlaston’s facility is based.

Construction work at Darlaston will also see a new two-platform station with a footbridge, steps, a lift and other works. But it will have a much larger car park facility with up to 300 spaces earmarked.

Two new hourly services will call at the stations once they are up and running.

This will be a direct Walsall to Wolverhampton route and a Wolverhampton to Birmingham service that will call at the existing Tame Bridge Parkway station as well as Darlaston and Willenhall.