As ORR notes, Willenhall and Darlaston stations have been authorised in the West Midlands.

Willenhall and Darlaston stations added to service
Photo: The Office of Rail and Road

Also, the Office of Rail and Road has authorised two new stations. Meanwhile, they are the first two of five stations to open in the region. At the same time, both have been added to the timetable. Both stations are now listed on that service. The service is hourly. It runs from Shrewsbury to Birmingham New Street. It goes via Wolverhampton, as outlined by the West Midlands Rail Executive.

Willenhall and Darlaston stations in the West Midlands

Separately, the authorisation is considered a key milestone. It applies to new, upgraded or renewed infrastructure. For example, it covers new station features. In addition, it includes step-free access through new lifts. At the same time, those lifts are intended to provide accessible connections between platforms.

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Still, it confirms that standards have been met in these areas:

  • health and safety
  • accessibility
  • environmental protection
  • reliability
  • availability

ORR authorisation and station accessibility

Steve Fletcher, Deputy Director, Engineering and Asset Management at ORR, said:

This is an important step for improving rail connectivity in and around the West Midlands, and we are pleased to see the upgrades open for passengers.

We’re pleased to have played our part in getting Willenhall and Darlaston stations ready to open. Our team worked closely West Midlands Combined Authority, Network Rail, and the West Midlands Rail Executive to support them through the authorisation process, just as we do for new trains and infrastructure across the country.

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