West Midlands Railway Stations Finally Open After Years of Delays
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has announced the opening dates for five new railway stations in Birmingham and the Black Country, marking the end of a frustrating saga of delays and disappointment. The £185 million project will see rail services return to these areas for the first time in decades, providing a significant boost to local transport connections.
Camp Hill Line Stations Set to Open in April
The three new stations on the Camp Hill Line—Kings Heath, Moseley, and Pineapple Road—will open on Tuesday, April 7. These stations closed to passengers during the Second World War in 1941, and their reopening has been eagerly anticipated by local residents. The project faced numerous setbacks, including the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, which disrupted the original construction timeline.
In 2019, £15 million in Government funding was awarded to reopen the three stations, with plans to complete construction by 2020 and open in time for the Commonwealth Games. However, the pandemic caused significant delays, and funding for the entire project was announced in 2021 with a proposed opening date of 2023. Construction began in 2022 but was pushed back to 2024 due to further delays. In 2024, TfWM cited soaring cost pressures as the reason for additional hold-ups, but construction was finally completed in 2025, paving the way for testing and the upcoming opening.
Willenhall and Darlaston Stations to Open Earlier
Two new stations in Willenhall and Darlaston will open several weeks earlier, on Thursday, March 19. These towns last saw passenger trains in 1965, and their reopening has been a long time coming. The project was announced in 2017 with a planned opening date of 2024, but it also faced delays due to budget pressures and other challenges.
Funding for the Willenhall and Darlaston stations was first announced in 2018, with planning applications submitted and approved in 2020. Construction started in 2021, but in 2024, TfWM announced delays due to budget pressures. However, construction was completed in 2025, and testing has now led to the announcement of the March opening date.
Officials Hail Major Milestone for Local Communities
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker emphasized that all five stations will be a lifeline for local people, providing improved access to jobs, travel, and housing. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander highlighted the Government's investment in the project, stating, "Thanks to Government investment, fast and frequent rail services will arrive at new stations across Birmingham and the Black Country next month for the first time in decades, reducing congestion and improving local transport connections."
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director for West Midlands Railway, added, "These fantastic new stations will create direct rail links to Birmingham city centre for these communities for the first time in decades, benefiting thousands of leisure and commuter travellers." He noted that travel times into the city will be greatly reduced, making a huge difference to the Birmingham public transport network.
Denise Wetton, Network Rail Central route director, expressed delight at the return of these stations to the rail network, emphasizing the railway's role in connecting communities, supporting regeneration, and driving economic growth. She stated, "Delivered in partnership, this is another important step as part of a wider programme of transformative projects that are improving the railway across the West Midlands, creating a network that better supports passengers now and into the future."
The announcement ends years of anticipation and frustration for residents, who have long awaited the return of rail services to their areas. With the opening dates now set, local communities can look forward to enhanced transport options and improved connectivity across the West Midlands.
