West Midlands Restores Rail After 60 Years

Willenhall and Darlaston stations reopen after 60 years with hourly service to Birmingham

Willenhall, Darlaston Stations Open After 60 Years

Two Black Country towns regained rail service March 19 when Willenhall and Darlaston stations opened for the first time since 1965. The £185 million project restored passenger trains to communities that've relied solely on buses for six decades, adding stops to the Shrewsbury to Birmingham New Street line. Both stations now offer hourly weekday and Saturday service, with journey times of roughly 22 minutes from Darlaston and 20-25 minutes from Willenhall to Birmingham New Street.

Reversing Beeching Era Closures

The stations closed in 1965 during the Beeching cuts, which eliminated thousands of miles of rail lines across Britain. Willenhall and Darlaston residents have traveled by road for regional trips ever since, facing increasingly congested routes to Birmingham and Wolverhampton. The reopening addresses a 60-year gap in the Black Country's rail network, officials said. Transit agencies across the UK have gradually restored select Beeching-era lines where population growth and traffic congestion justify the investment, though most closed stations remain shuttered.

Modern Infrastructure and Service Details

Both stations feature fully accessible infrastructure including step-free access via lifts, covered footbridges, passenger information screens, CCTV, and cycle parking. Darlaston offers 300 car parking spaces while Willenhall has 33 spaces. The stations connect to the hourly Shrewsbury to Birmingham New Street service via Wolverhampton, running weekdays and Saturdays. Officials haven't scheduled Sunday service. The project received £126 million in government funding, with the total cost reaching £185 million including local contributions.

Part of Wider Regional Expansion

The reopening is part of a broader West Midlands rail investment programme. Three additional stations—Moseley Village, Kings Heath, and Pineapple Road—are scheduled to open April 7 on the Camp Hill Line in south Birmingham. West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker committed an additional £30 million to complete those Camp Hill stations. The combined projects aim to expand rail access across communities that've lacked direct train service for decades, officials said.

Expected Economic and Travel Benefits

Local residents and officials have welcomed the new connections, which are expected to reduce journey times compared to congested road travel and support local economic regeneration. The stations may increase property values and enhance tourism access to Black Country heritage attractions, officials said. Riders can check Moovit for real-time service updates and trip planning for the Shrewsbury to Birmingham New Street line serving both stations.