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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Tamlyn Jones

Plans lodged for brace of Black Country stations

Plans have been lodged to build two new railway stations in the Black Country.

West Midlands Combined Authority has lodged two applications to construct the stations in Darlaston and Willenhall which are both on the Walsall to Wolverhampton line.

The new stations will offer local communities and commuters improved connections to Wolverhampton, Walsall and Birmingham New Street are expected to act as a catalyst for new housing, industrial and commercial development along the railway line.

Both stations will have bridge links with lift access between platforms, shelters for waiting passengers and cycle storage racks.

They will also have long-stay car parks, with 300 spaces at Darlaston and 150 at Willenhall.

The original stations in Darlaston and Willenhall closed in 1965 and only through trains have used the line since then.

The project is being led by Transport for West Midlands, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, and the West Midlands Rail Executive.

The Department for Transport, Network Rail, West Midlands Railway, Walsall Council and the City of Wolverhampton Council are also partners in the developments.

Last year, the projects received £10 million in funding from the Department for Transport to help with progressing the proposals through to the planning application stage.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: "I am delighted that our plans to reopen Darlaston and Willenhall stations has moved another significant step closer with the submission of these planning applications.

"These Black Country communities deserve access to easier and faster rail connections to Wolverhampton, Walsall and Birmingham and the wider transport network.

"The new stations will also help to drive significant investment in jobs and housing along the Walsall to Wolverhampton corridor.

"I look forward to seeing the plans evolve and progress as we gear up for construction on site next year."

Coun Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council and transport chief at the combined authority, added: "These Black Country stations are just one part of our plans to transform rail service and public transport across the West Midlands.

"We are making great progress with reopening the Camp Hill line in Birmingham to passenger services, creating better rail, tram and bus connections with the planned HS2 stations and working to bring more services, more capacity and better facilities across the region's rail network."

It is hoped work will start later this year and the stations will be ready by the end of 2021.

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