Boost for threatened train line

Trains on an under-threat service between Walsall and Wolverhampton might not only be saved but doubled under plans unveiled today.

A 30 per cent surge in passenger numbers has been seen since the line was given an 18-month reprieve until December this year. The Express & Star revealed last week that it is estimated the service has increased to 60,000 passengers in the last year since 2005, up 30 per cent.

West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority chairman Gary Clarke has also said the service could be made to run every half-hour. A feasibility study on rail links in Walsall is due and could see the service doubled by 2012 following signal improvements by Network Rail and Wolverhampton’s transport interchange which will see a rebuild of the city’s railway station.

“We are working with Network Rail’s route planning team to include de-tailed changes to the layout of Wolverhampton station to enable the operation of a half-hourly Birmingham-Walsall-Wolverhampton service,” Councillor Clarke said.

“This would then provide much improved connectivity.”

He said the popularity of the hourly service, currently run by London Midland.

The service is due to be axed in December when funding stops but Councillor Clarke has urged transport minister Tom Harris to save the service, which he describes as “vital”.

In a letter to the minister, Councillor Clarke said the route provided “potential for a much greater contribution to the economic growth of the region in the medium term” and urged him to ensure funding for the route to be provided after December.

Plans for a new station in Willenhall are still in the early stages but it is understood it could be built at its previous site at the junction of Rose Hill and Bilston Road. It is nearly eight years since the last attempt to relaunch the station.

A £1.35million scheme was put forward by Centro and Walsall Council for a station with two platforms, access ramps, a booking office and parking for up to 30 cars.