A £30 million project which will see the build and opening of Aldridge station for the first time in 60 years is now moving forward as Network Rail works with Transport for West Midlands and the West Midlands Rail Executive.
Yesterday, (20th Feb) saw the Managing Director of Network Rail's North West and Central region, Rob McIntosh visit the site of the new station with Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and Kate Trevorrow, Transport for West Midlands Rail Delivery Director.
The site of the new station is currently being secured and cleared by Network Rail engineers so that work on its construction can get underway.
The new Aldridge station is set to open during 2027 and will feature a single platform alongside a car park with 40 spaces and road access from Westfield Drive.
Once operational, the station will see half-hourly services to Walsall town centre where an interchange will connect passengers easily with services to Birmingham and further afield.
The reopening of stations will see communities reconnected to the rail network with the aim of offering the public a more sustainable travel option than that of private cars and will support #wm2041 targets to achieve a net-zero carbon region.
The future of the line could also see electrification take place which would support direct service into Birmingham and beyond, alongside an upgrade to the station under wider plans, which will see the reopening of passenger services on the Sutton Park Line.
Funding for the new Aldridge station is provided through the City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement funding, which was awarded to Transport for West Midlands, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority by the Department for Transport.
A £1.7 billion investment for the Midlands Rail Hub, which will support improved rail capacity and connectivity across the East and West Midlands has now been confirmed by the Government.
This scheme will see increased capacity on rail services travelling into Birmingham city centre and supports the opportunity to fully reopen the Sutton Park Line.
We are delighted to work in partnership with the WMCA to build a better connected, more prosperous, fairer and greener region.
Aldridge station is one of a number of new stations being funded by TfWM and WMRE across the West Midlands. These exciting transport hubs will not only support economic growth by improving connectivity for passengers, but also provide multiple benefits for local communities.
Rob McIntosh, Managing Director for Network Rail's North West and Central Region
It's astonishing to think that despite being on an active railway line no passenger trains have stopped at Aldridge since 1965.
That's why we are making this investment and working with Network Rail to get this station open for the people of Aldridge – starting with a shuttle service to Walsall from Spring 2027. This will finally start to give Aldridge the railway services it so badly needs – offering residents a convenient alternative to the car.
But we are not resting there, we are actively seeking further opportunities to improve and increase services at Aldridge. This includes working with the Wrexham, Shropshire and Midland Railway Company on plans to give Aldridge a direct train service to London.
We will continue to work with partners in the months and years ahead to realise this and our longer term ambition to reopen the Sutton Park Line in full, something which is now a step nearer thanks to the funding we have secured for the Midlands Rail Hub.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and Chair of the WMCA
This is an exciting time for rail in the region with work now underway on delivering six new stations, including at Willenhall and Darlaston, and plans for more in the pipeline.
New stations offering convenient rail links not only open up new work and leisure opportunities for residents and the communities they serve, but by making it easier for visitors and works can act as a catalyst for future investment in our towns.
Councillor Mike Bird, WMCA Portfolio Holder for Transport and Leader of Walsall Council
Great news that Aldridge is being reconnected to the network, but it seems odd to prioritise working with an OOA (that has failed on every attempt it has made to run a service) to give direct trains to London … rather than working with a franchised TOC to give through services to Birmingham and Wolverhampton and not just a shuttle to Walsall 🤔
It’s fantastic news, l recall the time when me and a friend walked to school in the early 70’s along the disused Walsall Wood branch line. At Aldridge the railway station was being demolished and we asked one of the workmen will the station ever reopen. I never forgot what he said. “Not in my lifetime but maybe in yours” now I am 67 can’t wait to ride on the train. Its wonderful news.
The track is already in place, so why on earth is it going to take almost four years to put two platforms and a footbridge in? They used to build railways much quicker in the 1800s even without the technology and machinery available these days.