Following approval from the Department for Transport, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is able to continue with planning for further transport links that will help to connect communities.
Plans to restore rail services to Aldridge for the first time in nearly six decades have been given conditional approval from the government, with £30 million being invested from Transport for West Midlands’ City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS). The £1.3 billion CRSTS is part of the combined authority’s devolution deal and are aimed at improving productivity in communities whilst also delivering transformational change. This change will see further decarbonisation of transport, as well as contributing to the levelling up of both services and areas.
Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, said:
“With diggers already in the ground working on three new stations on the Camp Hill line alongside Darlaston and Willenhall stations on the Walsall to Wolverhampton line, Aldridge will be a very welcome sixth addition to our region.
“This is another step forward as we rebuild and reopen many of the railway stations closed by the Beeching cuts of the past – all part of our plans to better connect communities and give local people genuine alternative to the car.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to public transport and so we will continue to seek to revive even more stations and passenger services in the months and years ahead.”
The project will see passenger services returning to the area as a single platform is constructed on the edge of Aldridge town centre. The improvements to transport connections for the community will open up new opportunities for the people of the area, as easier links to employment, education and leisure are introduced. This will, in turn, bring social, economic, and environmental benefits.
Councillor Mike Bird, Leader of Walsall Council and WMCA portfolio lead for transport, added:
“Having its own station will provide a huge benefit for the residents of Aldridge giving them easier access to jobs, leisure, and education opportunities further afield.
“It will also improve access for workers and visitors to Aldridge’s town centre and industrial parks giving much needed support to local businesses.”
