A new railway station is being built at Willenhall in the borough of Walsall in the West Midlands on the site of industrial waste processing buildings that are being demolished to make way for the new station's platforms.
The recycling business occupied a site off Rose Hill in Willenhall, but has been relocated to make way for the new station. It is on the opposite side of the Walsall to Wolverhampton railway line that was cleared last year.
There are historic mine workings under the site that need to be stabilised, but once that work has been completed, construction can start on the new station's platforms, lifts, stairs, and footbridge. The station will form part of a £55 million project to reopen the Willenhall and Darlaston line for passenger services for the first time in over 50 years.
A new station is also going to be opened at Darlaston, and preparation work is currently underway including, as at Willenhall, securing underground mine workings.
Once the line has reopened, it will provide an hourly service between Walsall and Wolverhampton and an hourly service between Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton.
Both stations are being developed in partnership with West Midlands Trains, Network Rail, Walsall Council, and the Department for Transport, with the development being led by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE). The project contractors are Buckingham Group and SLC-AECOM Joint Venture.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMRE chair, said: “It's fantastic to finally see the full site at Willenhall ready for construction to get underway. I even had the chance to meet a local apprentice on site – a direct example of how our investment is supporting jobs and providing the springboard for a career in construction.”
“This station will have a transformational impact here in Willenhall – offering residents a fast passenger service to Wolverhampton, Walsall and Birmingham when it opens next year. It will also help us to reduce car usage and support our #WM2041 net zero commitment.“I cannot wait to see this station open – serving local people in the months and years ahead.”
Cllr Adrian Andrew, deputy leader of Walsall Council, said: “The new station will become a valuable asset for the town centre and local business by making Willenhall a more attractive and convenient place to live, work and visit.
“I look forward to seeing develop over the coming months.”
New railway stations and new trains for the West Midlands. That’s what the West Midlands wants.