Five Midlands rail hubs set to open in early 2026
Construction is complete on two Black Country railway stations at Darlaston and Willenhall, along with three Birmingham stations at Kings Heath, Moseley, and Pineapple Road.
Darlaston and Willenhall, on the line between Walsall and Wolverhampton, will see their first rail passengers since 1965 when they open to passengers early next year.
Three stations will also open in Birmingham, at Kings Heath, Moseley and Pineapple Road, part of a scheme originally forecast to cost around £116m.
However costs are believed to have risen considerably over the course of the project, which was originally due for completion in 2023 and 2024.
The stations are planned to open to passengers in the early part of next year, having been handed over to West Midlands Railways by West Midlands Combined Authority for testing and commissioning work.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker says new transport hubs in Birmingham and Walsall will give town and city centre businesses a boost when they open to the public next year.
“I promised these five new stations would be finished by the end of the year – and we’ve delivered,” he said.
“For some communities, this is the first time in more than 80 years they’ve had their own train service. That changes everyday life. Getting to work, college or seeing family becomes simpler and quicker.
“It also means more people coming into town centres. More footfall for shops and cafés. More confidence for local businesses to invest and grow.
“This is what delivery looks like – backing places that have waited far too long for decent connections.”
The government allocated around £60m of funding to the project in 2021, while the West Midlands Combined Authority has contributed what is believed to be a similar sum through its City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.
Walsall Borough and Birmingham City councils have also contributed funding to the project.
Cllr Adrian Andrew, deputy leader of Walsall Council, said: “Having been involved in the new stations since day one, it’s great to see the building work complete and I look forward to seeing them open in the New Year.
“These new stations are essential in connecting local people with the wider region, creating more opportunities to travel for work and leisure. This has been a cross-party campaign to deliver railway stations in Willenhall and Darlaston for many years, so it’s great to celebrate this milestone at last.”
The Black Country stations have been built by Kier under contract from Transport for West Midlands. The Birmingham stations have been developed by VolkerFitzpatrick.
