West Midlands Mayor Andy Street is asking for residents to have their say on ambitious proposals to open a new railway station in Tettenhall.
Mr Street, who heads up the West Midlands Combined Authority, has joined local councillors and prospective local MP Stuart Anderson to launch a survey to see if local people will back the idea.
“Public transport, access to services and economic opportunities all need to be improved for Wolverhampton residents,” Mr Street said.That’s why we believe it’s time to seriously look at providing a new railway station for Tettenhall, Aldersley and the surrounding communities.”
The idea for a Tettenhall station follows advanced proposals to reopen long-closed stations at Darlaston, Willenhall and Aldridge, as well as in South Birmingham.
“Across the West Midlands real progress is being made on re-opening stations for communities in Birmingham and Walsall – if there, why not here?” asked Mr Street.
Mr Anderson, prospective MP for Wolverhampton South West, said a survey was being delivered to thousands of residents to gauge the level of support for the plan. "A station would link this area with Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Coventry to the east and Shrewsbury and Telford to the west,” he said. “The first step is to find out if this idea has community support, and if the support in the community is strong enough, we can take the campaign forward.”
The survey, which is being delivered to local addresses by councillors and volunteers, asks which destinations local residents would like to reach by rail from a new station, how often they would use it and even what it should be called.
Cllr Wendy Thompson, Conservative Group Leader on the City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Residents can help us by filling in their survey, which will enable us to understand the level of support, to help make the case for progressing with the idea.
“The next stage would then be securing an official feasibility study and a business case. This is what has already happened in areas where plans for new stations are more advanced.”
Mr Street added: “We have seen how plans for new railway stations across the West Midlands can energise communities. They open up new opportunities for residents and help attract investment and business. I urge Tettenhall people to fill in the survey and let us know if they back this ambitious idea for a new station in Tettenhall.”
You can take part on the survey here: https://www.stuartanderson.org.uk/campaigns/tettenhall-railway-station-0