Mayoral pledge to improve access to the Black Country

The reopening of two key Black Country rail routes, plus a major step change in investment in cycling and walking routes, form the next phase in Conservative Mayoral candidate Andy Street’s plan to improve traffic congestion across the West Midlands.

Having already committed to securing the funding for the expansion of the Midland Metro and the reopening of the Camp Hill chords in the first three years in office should he be elected West Midlands Mayor, the new pledges form the basis of a longer-term solution to the transport challenge.

The reopening of the Stourbridge to Walsall line would mean for the first time in decades, the east-west connection after Worcester to Burton through the West Midlands would be operational again.

And the reopening of the Walsall to Wolverhampton route, out of operation since 2008, would see new stations at James Bridge in Darlaston and Willenhall. These would be vital stops for the nearby Black Country Enterprise Zone.

The two routes have been championed for years by rail campaigners, and Mr Street is pledging to secure the funding to make it a reality.

In addition, the Conservative candidate has promised a 40-fold increase in investment in routes for walking and cycling.

Mr Street said: “The fact that the West Midlands is being strangled by congestion is well documented. Almost two-thirds of journeys are made by car and, at peak times, 81% of cars have just one person in them.

“Giving people a viable alternative to driving is the key to busting the congestion that is bad for people and bad for business.

“I have already pledged as Mayor to secure the investment to undertake some relatively short-term improvements in rail – most notably the reopening of the railway to Kings Heath, Moseley and north to Castle Vale – and the tram network extensions to and Brierley Hill and, in later phases, to Chelmsley Wood.

“But the longer-term aspirations need to be ignited now. I want to commit to beginning serious talks around these two additional lines.”

He said investment in cycling and walking also formed a part of his transport pledge for the region.

“There is some exceptional work taking place in parts of the region around cycling. For example, Birmingham Cycling Revolution is an excellent project, what we need to do is apply this across the West Midlands,” he said.

“The role of Mayor means that, for the first time, we will be able to have a fully co-ordinated approach and somebody who will be able to press for investment in our cycling and walking routes.

“In London, spending per head on sustainable transport is around £20. In the West Midlands it is 25p – that is clearly unacceptable and as Mayor I am committing to achieving a 40-fold increase which would lead to a transformation in our region’s cycling infrastructure.”