Watch as a new 77-tonne footbridge is installed at Willenhall Rail Station in a major milestone amid an update on the opening date
New video footage at Willenhall Railway Station shows the installation of a 'milestone' bridge walkway as the development continues and an update on its opening date is given.
An overnight operation on Sunday has seen a mammoth 450-tonne crane carefully lift sections of a footbridge into position at the new Willenhall Railway Station development, on Bilston Street, Willenhall, before intricately placing each segment of the bridge into place.
The works form part of the Willenhall and Darlaston Railway Station developments, which are being developed by Transport for West Midlands, in partnership with the West Midlands Railway Executive, Network Rail, West Midlands Railway, and Walsall Council.
The time-lapse video shows workers toiling away through the night, with a team of nine workers, moving the tremendous structure into place.
The development in Willenhall comes as a similar bridge was also put into place at the new Darlaston Railway Station, with both forming the central spine of each station, linking each side of the platforms.
Transport for West Midlands said that both stations are on track to open in early 2026.
The stations are planned to provide local residents and businesses with improved access to jobs, leisure, and education opportunities across the region, making rail travel more accessible, sustainable, and convenient for passengers.
The stations are part of a broader West Midlands Rail Programme, which pledges to deliver new and upgraded stations across the region, including three new stations in south Birmingham as part of the Camp Hill Railway project.
'A big stride forward'
The bridge was successfully slotted into place early on Sunday morning, with the teams now focusing on the next stages of the build.
Richard Parker, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: "The installation of the footbridge at Willenhall Station, hot on the heels of the Darlaston station works, represents a big stride forward for this project.
“The installation of major pieces of infrastructure is a visible sign of the station taking shape and a testament to the hard work of the teams both on site and behind the scenes.
“The work at Willenhall Station is just one of the range of projects in my plan to improve journeys for everyone, which is fundamental to my upcoming plan for growth for the region.”
Councillor Adrian Andrew, deputy leader of Walsall Council, said: "It’s great to see another step towards the completion of Willenhall Railway Station; something that we have been campaigning on for a number of years.
“When the station opens, it will be a great asset for the people of Willenhall, better connecting residents to the wider West Midlands network, so reaching this milestone is great news for the borough."
The authority said that both stations are on track to be opened in early 2026.
