Jobs boost for town

Scores of jobs are set to be created in Walsall when Network Rail builds a multi-million pound training facility in the town.

The firm, which maintains Britain’s railway network, wants to extend its depot in Corporation Street, Pleck, into a rail maintenance and safety facility to train new staff from all over the Midlands.

The five-acre site be-tween the Walsall-Birmingham railway line and Queen Street Cemetery will feature a large single-storey building including classrooms, practical training areas, toilets and a smaller workshop for welding.

A total of 13 permanent staff will be taken on along with 150 trainees.

Pheasey ward councillor Mike Bird, who is chairman of Walsall Council’s development control committee, said today: “This is a training centre for teaching skills for running a railway.

“I understand it will be huge. Hopefully the students will move into the railway industry.”

“It shows people are prepared to invest in Walsall.”

Network Rail said Walsall has been chosen for the site because of its good rail network links.

The current depot in Corporation Street is home to a number of old buildings and temporary mobile classrooms which will be cleared and developed into the hi-tech facility.

It will also include a new 87-space car park, with six spaces for disabled drivers.

The development control committee look set to approve the proposals next week. A report to the committee welcomes the plans.

It states: “In terms of scale and design of the development, the area is predominantly industrial and commercial and as such its use will be well integrated with neighbouring buildings and the local area.

“The provision of the new facility will tidy the site, provide a purpose-built training facility and offer a visually improved site along this main and important approach to the town centre train station.”