West Midlands rail revolution continues as Mayor announces opening dates for five new stations
Five new railway stations are due to open to passengers shortly, completing a £185m project, supported by significant Government investment, to reconnect communities to the rail network for the first time in generations.
The new stations will give residents a faster and greener alternative to the car for their journeys, reducing traffic and making it easier for people to visit town centres and support local businesses.
The Black Country: The brand-new Willenhall and Darlaston Stations will open on Thursday, March 19. These were last visited by train services in 1965.
This major construction project has seen all five stations built to modern standards with sheltered platforms, accessible lifts, ticket machines, and secure cycle racks. Darlaston Station also includes a car park with 300-spaces for park and ride commuters, while Willenhall includes an additional 33 parking spaces.
This project has been supported by £126m of funding from Government. Following a review of transport projects in 2024, Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, secured an additional £30m funding to make sure the Camp Hill stations were completed.
He said: “When I took office, I promised we would get these stations finished and ready for the community, and now we are delivering on that promise.
“Closing those stations during the last century was a short-sighted mistake which has now been put right – no longer will residents have to watch every day as trains rush past without stopping.
“These vital new services will not only restore a historic link between the railways and our communities, they will create a new lifeline for local people – supporting our high streets, opening up new opportunities and connections, and driving economic growth.”
The project is led by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), and the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE), in partnership with Network Rail, West Midlands Railway, Birmingham City Council, Walsall Council, and the Department for Transport.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “Thanks to Government investment, fast and frequent rail services will arrive at new stations across Birmingham and the Black Country next month for the first time in decades, reducing congestion and improving local transport connections.
“There is no limit on our ambitions for the West Midlands. That’s why we are funding new opportunities for jobs, travel, and housing, while returning rail services to public ownership to build a railway passengers can rely on.”
Cllr Mike Bird, leader of Walsall Council, said: “I’m delighted that we can now announce the opening dates for Willenhall and Darlaston railway stations, bringing passenger services back to these communities for the first time in over 50 years.
“These stations will offer quicker, greener, and more reliable links to the wider region, helping to reduce congestion and creating new opportunities for work, education, and leisure across Walsall. This is a major milestone for our communities and a real boost for the borough’s future.”
Willenhall and Darlaston stations will be added to the timetable for the hourly Shrewsbury to Birmingham New Street Station service via Wolverhampton. The Mayor and WMRE continue to work with partners on securing further regular services for these new stations.