Five new railway stations in the West Midlands are set to open to passengers in the coming weeks, completing a £185 million project aimed at reconnecting communities to the rail network for the first time in decades.
The programme will see the opening of two stations in the Black Country and three on the Camp Hill line in Birmingham, providing residents with new rail links designed to reduce road congestion and offer a faster, greener alternative to car travel.
The new Willenhall and Darlaston stations will open on Thursday 19 March, marking the return of passenger rail services to both communities for the first time since 1965.
On Tuesday 7 April, three brand-new stations on Birmingham’s Camp Hill line – Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road – will open, restoring passenger services to areas that have not had direct rail access since the Second World War.
Final authorisation from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is expected shortly, keeping the project on schedule.
All five stations have been constructed to modern standards and include accessible lifts, sheltered platforms, ticket machines and secure cycle storage. Darlaston station will also feature a 300-space park-and-ride car park, while Willenhall will include 33 additional parking spaces.
The scheme has been supported by £126 million of government funding, with a further £30 million secured in 2024 by West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker to ensure the Camp Hill stations could be completed.
Richard Parker 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 has been delivered 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 carried out by VolkerFitzpatrick, while Kier delivered the 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.”
Local leaders say the new stations will play a key role in supporting economic growth and improving access to employment, education and leisure across the region.
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.”
Majid Mahmood, Birmingham City Council cabinet member for environment and transport, added:
“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.”
Train services will begin shortly after the openings. The Camp Hill stations will receive a half-hourly service between Birmingham city centre and Kings Norton, while Willenhall and Darlaston will be added to the hourly Shrewsbury to Birmingham New Street service via Wolverhampton.
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.
“With the introduction of these fast, regular services travel times into the city will be greatly reduced, making a huge difference to the Birmingham public transport network. We’re excited to begin welcoming new customers on board in the coming weeks.”
Denise Wetton, Network Rail’s Central route director, added:
“We are delighted to have supported with the return of these stations to the rail network, which marks an important moment for our local communities. The railway has a unique role in connecting communities to places and opportunities, supports regeneration, and drives economic growth.
“Delivered in partnership, this is another important step as part of a wider programme of transformative projects that are improving the railway across the West Midlands, creating a network that better supports passengers now and into the future.”
Regional leaders say they will continue working with partners to secure additional services in the future, further strengthening connectivity across the West Midlands rail network.
Image credit: WMCA
