Radical change proposed for delayed Aldridge station project

Tim Huxtable wants West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker to consider a new proposal involving Aldridge Station which will see its route go directly to Birmingham instead of Walsall with new stations being created along the way.

He said reopening the Sutton Park line would support major new housing developments in Langley and Castle Bromwich. He had previously put forward the idea at a Board meeting in July last year.

At the West Midlands Combined Authority overview and scrutiny committee meeting, Mr Parker asked Councillor Huxtable to write in with his proposition for it to be considered.

The existing Aldridge Station plan with diesel services to Walsall was originally put forward by former Mayor Andy Street and, to date, £3.6 million has been secured and committed to developing feasibility studies and a business case for it.

In July last year, the scheme was one of a number of transport projects delayed due to soaring costs. Aldridge was delayed indefinitely until the full funding for the project was available.

Mr Parker commissioned Arup to carry out a review into the issues and a report said only £3.6 million of the £30 million required had been secured.

But Aldridge-Brownhills’ Conservative MP Wendy Morton said the Mayor was being ‘disingenuous’ about the station issue and said she and Mr Street had secured the £30 million for it to be delivered by 2027.

At the overview and scrutiny meeting, Councillor Huxtable said: “Aldridge Station, let’s not go back into the funding because we disagree on that one, but why Aldridge to Walsall?

“Why not Aldridge to Birmingham via Sutton Park to support the development of the sustainable urban extension in Langley which will need good public transport links? Why not adjoin by Castle Bromwich and open at the station at Castle Bromwich also which is in the Castle Vale area?

“Reopen that line so, rather than going Aldridge to Walsall and from Walsall then to Birmingham, just direct Aldridge to Birmingham City Centre via the Sutton Park line reopening stations and work towards a strategic business case based on that which will connect with new housing, new economic growth and new regeneration.”

Mr Parker said: “I would welcome you writing in with that proposition of yours.

“But be very clear, it’s a very different proposition to the project that was placed in front of me when I was elected.

“Please feel free to write in with your proposals and we will take it through the necessary authorities to look at its viability and any case for delivery.”

Earlier in the meeting, Mr Parker said he and the Combined Authority remained committed to the original project but added it needed to go through the business case and show value for money.