Opening dates announced for two new Black Country railway stations in Willenhall and Darlaston - full details here
The opening dates for two new railway stations in the Black Country and three in south Birmingham have been announced - here’s when passengers can jump on board
The much-anticipated opening date for two new Black Country railway stations has finally been announced.
Trains will be welcoming passengers at Willenhall and Darlaston from Thursday, March 19 - for the first time since 1965.
Darlaston Station also includes a car park with 300-spaces for park and ride commuters, while Willenhall includes an additional 33 parking spaces.
The opening of these two train stations will be followed by another three in south Birmingham on the Camp Hill Line - Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road will open on Tuesday, April 7.
It will be the first time since the Second World War that passengers will have used these stations.
The five new railway stations in the West Midlands complete a £185m project, supported by significant Government investment.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) says: “They are reconnecting 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.”
TfWM added: “Final authorisation from the Office of Rail and Road is expected in the coming days, keeping the project on track to open on these dates.”
The five stations feature sheltered platforms, accessible lifts, ticket machines, and secure cycle racks.
This project has been supported by £126m of funding from the 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.
Construction of the Camp Hill stations was delivered by VolkerFitzpatrick, while contractor Kier built Willenhall and Darlaston stations.
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.”
Cllr Majid Mahmood, Birmingham City Council cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “This is great news for the people of Birmingham and the wider region. This will really help further connect these communities with local neighbourhoods along the line and with the city, whether they’re using the train to commute or for leisure. Crucially, this line will also help to ease traffic congestion in the area, in turn reducing pollution and improving bus reliability.”
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director for West Midlands Railway, said: “These fantastic new stations will create direct rail links to Birmingham city centre for these communities for the first time in decades, benefiting thousands of leisure and commuter travellers.
