Date set for decision on new Walsall railway stations

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 the two 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 this year.

Should all go to plan, it is hoped work will start on the new stations next year and be completed by the end of 2022.

The brand 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.

Work at Willenhall will include demolishing existing industrial buildings to make way for the construction of the new station with two platforms, a footbridge, steps and a lift, platform furniture, lighting and other works.

Platform

A 33-space car park will also be built along with improvements to pedestrian crossing facilities on Bilston Street.

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. Other work will include measures to restrict vehicular access to Kendricks Road bridge.

In June, bosses said 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.

Regeneration bosses have previously hailed the proposals as vital to their long term plans for the area.

Walsall Council deputy leader Adrian Andrew said: "This is great news for Walsall businesses and residents and provides the connectivity we need to support and develop our local economy especially Willenhall and Darlaston."

West Midlands mayor Andy Street added: "The Walsall to Wolverhampton rail corridor is an important part of our the plans to regenerate and revitalise this area of the Black Country; acting as a catalyst to unlock swathes of land for industrial, commercial and housing development."