West Midlands Mayor Andy Street says work on Aldridge’s new railway station could start next year, after the Government agreed to ’fast track’ the plans.
In September the plans for the station, which Mr Street has been campaigning to reopen for number of years, were included in projects which the Government intends to accelerate.
Mr Street said: “The Government has given us a tremendous vote of confidence in our infrastructure plans with the exciting news that vital regional transport projects will be fast tracked – including reopening Aldridge railway station.
“So, I think we can expect diggers in the ground on the majority of these projects by the end of 2023. I cannot wait to see local lives changed for the better as a result of these projects.
“Getting this station built will provide the people of Aldridge with a faster and greener way to get to Walsall and Birmingham.
“As mayor, one of my key ambitions is reversing the Beeching cuts of the last century and getting much-needed new railway stations open.
“Not only will the new stations provide a public transport alternative to the car, but it will connect local people to the high-quality jobs and opportunities being created across the region and encourage businesses to move to Aldridge too.”
Transport chiefs aim to open the 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.
Mr Street has worked with Aldridge-Brownhills MP Wendy Morton on the proposals.
The original Aldridge Station was opened 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.
The station lies on the Sutton Park line, currently only used by freight services. Longer term, there are plans to open more stations on this under-used line.