West Midlands Advances Rail Expansion Amid Route Debate

New Walsall railway stations may bypass town centre despite £85 million investment

Walsall Stations May Skip Town Centre

Two new railway stations opening in Walsall's Willenhall and Darlaston areas in early 2026 may not serve the town's main station at Saddlers Centre, officials said. Mike Bird, Walsall Council leader, said he'd been told Walsall wouldn't be included on the routes. The £85 million project brings rail service back to these communities for the first time since 1965, but the potential routing has sparked concern among local leaders.

Local Leaders Push for Town Centre Service

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and Walsall Council have jointly written to the Government advocating for services from the new stations to include the town centre. The Department of Transport confirmed no decision has been made on timetables for Willenhall and Darlaston at this stage, with options currently being worked on. One option under consideration could see the new stations included on the existing service from Shrewsbury to Birmingham New Street via Wolverhampton. Officials haven't said when a final decision will be announced.

£85 Million Project Faces Cost Overruns

Transport for West Midlands is building the stations in partnership with West Midlands Rail Executive, Network Rail, West Midlands Railway and Walsall Council. The project has experienced delays and soaring costs over recent years, with the total cost now expected to reach approximately £85 million. Construction is currently underway at both Willenhall and Darlaston sites. The stations will restore rail service to areas that haven't had passenger trains in nearly 60 years.

Early 2026 Opening Timeline Remains on Track

The stations are expected to open in early 2026, officials confirmed. The Department of Transport said it's working through timetabling options but hasn't provided a specific timeline for when route decisions will be finalized. Officials said they'll release more details about service patterns before the stations open. The exact frequency of trains stopping at the new stations hasn't been announced.

Riders Await Route Clarity

Residents in Willenhall and Darlaston will gain access to rail service for the first time in decades, though uncertainty remains about connections to Walsall's town centre. Officials said they're considering multiple routing options that balance service to the new stations with existing rail network capacity. Riders can check Moovit for real-time updates on West Midlands rail services as the project progresses toward its 2026 opening.