Passenger rail services planned to re-connect Walsall and Wolverhampton

There will be two trains an hour calling at new stations when the Walsall to Wolverhampton line reopens to passenger services it has been confirmed.West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) and Network Rail have agreed a timetable for services to call at the Willenhall and Darlaston stations when the line reopens.Trains last called at Willenhall and Darlaston stations more than 50 years ago and the Walsall to Wolverhampton line has been used only by freight services since 2008.Passenger rail services planned to re-connect Walsall and WolverhamptonUnder the new agreement there will be:An hourly service between Walsall and WolverhamptonAn hourly service between Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton, via Tame Bridge, Darlaston and Willenhall. Created by diverting an existing Crewe to Birmingham service.The rail service offers the people of Darlaston and Willenhall a huge 54 minute time saving on bus journeys into Birmingham city centre and a significant 15 minute saving on travelling by car.Planning applications for the new stations were submitted to Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council in February.It is proposed that Willenhall Station will be sited next to the Bilston Street railway bridge close to the town centre, while Darlaston Station will be built on derelict land next to the Kendricks Road bridge.Construction of the new stations is due to commence early next year, with the aim to have them open by the end of 2022.The project is being led by the West Midlands Rail Executive and Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, working in close collaboration with the Department for Transport, Network Rail, West Midlands Railway, Walsall Council and Wolverhampton Council.