New railway stations proposed for three areas

Three parts of the West Midlands could benefit from new railway stations

Transport bosses are developing proposals for three new railway stations in the West Midlands.

Castle Bromwich, Coventry East and the Tettenhall area were shortlisted by the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) as part of a feasibility study.

The areas were identified because they have no rapid public transport links and some high levels of deprivation, the WMRE said.

The three were chosen from a previous list of five, which also included Balsall Heath and Foleshill.

Each of the new stations would be built on existing railway lines.

The Castle Bromwich hub would restore a station that was closed in 1968 on the line between Birmingham and Leicester/Nottingham.

Coventry East would be a brand new station in the Binley/Willenhall area on the Coventry to Rugby line.

And a station north of Wolverhampton, between Tettenhall, Pendeford and Claregate, would sit on the line to Shrewsbury.

WMRE said the names for the stations could be decided in collaboration with the communities.

The organisation has earmarked £1m of funding to develop the proposals, which was awarded to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) by the Department for Transport.

West Midlands mayor Andy Street, who is also chair of WMRE, said: “New rail infrastructure can be transformative for an area - offering residents sustainable and convenient access to rapid and reliable public transport.

“That’s why it’s good news that local people will benefit from these stations very soon.”

WMRE said previously-mooted locations that did not make the shortlist could be reconsidered once the Midlands Rail Hub was operational.