West Midlands Mayor Andy Street says new railway stations – including one in Aldridge – will open up train travel for thousands of people across the region and ease congestion.
Mr Street, who leads the West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “The new railway stations we are opening will really help with congestion in the places like Aldridge, by giving people an alternative to using their cars.
“Opening up new railway stations will enable thousands of people to access our rail network, while at the same time freeing up the roads, which also means cleaner air.”
Transport chiefs want to open a station at Aldridge, which would cater for 500,000 passengers a year with two trains an hour running to Walsall and Birmingham New Street.
Last year they secured £400,000 to purchase a site for the station in Aldridge, with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) agreeing to buy NHS-owned land next to the Anchor Meadow Health Centre off Westfield Drive.
The Aldridge plan is one of a number at various stages across the region – with building work already underway down the line to build a new station for Willenhall.
Mr Street said: “It really is fantastic news that our plans to bring an old Black Country station in Willenhall back to life are becoming a reality – it’s one of a number in the region we want to reopen, including Aldridge.
“I think Aldridge people should see this as a positive sign that we are succeeding in opening stations that have been closed for decades and reconnecting communities via rail.
“Not only will these stations provide a real public transport alternative to the car, but they will also connect local people to the high-quality jobs and opportunities being created across the wider region.”
Mr Street has worked with Walsall North MP Eddie Hughes on the Willenhall plans, and with Aldridge-Brownhills MP Wendy Morton on the Aldridge proposals.
The original Aldridge Station was opening by the Midland Railway in 1879. In 1923 it became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway before passing to the London Midland Region of British Railways on nationalisation in 1948.