Government backing unlocks new West Midlands station closed by Beeching
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has secured £150,000 of government funding to take forward plans to open a new railway station at Aldridge.
The funding, from the Department for Transport’s Restoring Our Railway programme, will help cover the cost of developing a business case, including the case for electrification of the line to deliver a brand new rail service between Walsall and Aldridge.
An original station opened in 1879, but was closed by the British Railways Board in 1965 as part of the Beeching cuts and subsequently demolished.
Aldridge lies on the Sutton Park line, currently only used by freight services. Longer term there are plans to open more stations on the under used line.
TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), and the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) have been working on the plans with Walsall Council for several years. Last year land was purchased by the WMCA for the proposed new station site.
£30 million from the region’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) has already been set aside to cover the cost of construction and the new funding allows WMRE to take the next step in the development process.
The plan includes should see a new single platform station on the edge of Aldridge town centre, ready to open during 2027. Options for a park and ride car park are also being explored.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said, “It is fantastic news that we have secured this funding from the Department for Transport to progress our plans for Aldridge Station – thanks to the Restoring Your Railway programme.
“This funding is one of the final pieces in the jigsaw and will allow us to get this station built, providing the people of Aldridge with a faster and greener alternative to the car for their journeys to Walsall and Birmingham.
“A key part of my mayoral mission is to get much needed and long-awaited new railway stations open – finally reversing the Beeching cuts of the last century – and with this news we are demonstrating through results that we can and will succeed in offering local residents better and more sustainable transport links in the months and years ahead.”
Cllr Adrian Andrew, deputy leader of Walsall Council, said: “The new stations at Aldridge and at Darlaston will open up new opportunities for residents. Improving the rail infrastructure in Walsall is a boost for leisure and employment and makes the borough an increasingly attractive place for developers to invest.”
Electrification of a three-mile section of line between Walsall and Aldridge would allow a half-hourly service direct to Walsall, taking just six minutes, and Birmingham, taking 38 minutes. A diesel only shuttle service will operate in advance of electrification.