Transport authorities in the West Midlands are considering the case for building five new stations at Balsall Heath, Coventry East (Binley), Foleshill, Castle Bromwich and Tettenhall.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) will explore the feasibility and draw up business cases for five new stations, selected from a long list of fifteen possible new stations. The authorities identified these five as having the strongest case for proceeding with development, and hope that the business cases will secure further government funding to enable the stations to be designed and built.
The West Midlands City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) was awarded funding to proceed with investigating and planning the next phase of station development.
The planning of the new stations is linked to HS2 and the Midland Rail Hub project. It is hoped that the completion of these will free up capacity for existing rail lines to carry more local services and increase network capacity into central Birmingham. The planning of three of the new stations needs to proceed immediately so that they are ready to open alongside Midlands Rail Hub and HS2.
Balsall Heath, on the Camp Hill line in Birmingham, would require construction of the Bordesley Chords and extra capacity at Moor Street Station as currently proposed by the Midlands Rail Hub project. Coventry East (Binley) will be on the main line between Coventry and Rugby which will enjoy greater capacity for local services once HS2 is completed. Foleshill station will be on the Coventry-Nuneaton line, and Tettenhall lies west of Wolverhampton on the line to Shrewsbury. Castle Bromwich, which is east of Birmingham, would also benefit from the greater capacity into central Birmingham provided by Midlands Rail Hub
These planned new stations will add to expansion of the region's rail network that is already underway, with new stations being built on the Camp Hill line in south Birmingham at Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road, and on the Walsall to Wolverhampton line serving Darlaston and Willenhall. A new station is also planned at Aldridge, with funding allocated subject to business case. The City of Wolverhampton, South Staffordshire District and Staffordshire County councils have also looked at the case for a new station at Brinsford, which will be considered alongside the case for nearby Tettenhall Station.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and West Midlands Rail Executive Chair, said: “New stations are taking shape across Birmingham and the Black Country – with diggers in the ground after our success in securing funding.
“Alongside these projects now underway, we're turning our attention to the next set of stations and these five are a good place to start.
“Investing in rail stations is Levelling Up in action – helping to regenerate local areas, offer a convenient alternative to the car and driving job creation.”
Cllr Ian Ward, West Midlands Combined Authority portfolio holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council, added: “Our rail station developments proposals are about both growing our local economy, better connecting people to job and leisure opportunities and assisting our move towards a net zero carbon region.
“And these stations are the ones that most match these aims and, although it may take time to deliver, we are starting the planning now so when the funding becomes available we are ready to go with a sound plan of action.
“But while these will take time, we are carrying on with delivering £1.3 billion investment in our road, rail, bus, tram, cycling and walking infrastructure over the next few years – including building and opening new stations on the Camp Hill line and Walsall to Wolverhampton line.”
