WOLVES-WALSALL TRAIN DUE FOR DECISION

08-02-2010

Rail passengers in the Black Country will have their fingers crossed today when the local transport authority debates a motion to re-instate the rail link between Wolverhampton to Walsall which was axed last year.

Labour members, led by Wolverhampton councillor Graham Wilkes, are calling on Centro to investigate the possibility of using spare trains freed up by the introduction of new rolling stock.

The proposal has cross party support, but train operator London Midlands has made it clear they require additional subsidy.

The 13 minute hourly service between the towns has been replaced by a rail service via Birmingham’s New Street which can take up to an hour and a bus service that takes up to 45 minutes.

The loss of the rail service also amounted to the loss of a proposed train station for Willenhall.

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