Walsall to Wolverhampton Line
Encyclopedia
The Walsall to Wolverhampton Line is a railway line in the West Midlands
, England
. It connects the town of Walsall
to the city of Wolverhampton
. For most of its length, it follows the part of the route of the original Grand Junction Railway
.
and operated by London Midland
, operate hourly. These were reintroduced to the line in the late 1990s, having previously ceased as part of the Beeching Axe
in 1965. However, the Strategic Rail Authority
's West Coast Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy proposed the withdrawal of the service in December 2006. Centro opposed this, and the service continued. There were also proposals to reopen the stations at and to increase passenger numbers and the viability of the service. During the early - mid 2000s, the line was used as part of an hourly service between Walsall and Wellington. But these services were withdrawn in 2006 and the service was reduced to an hourly service between Walsall and Wolverhampton, with only one or two trains per day in each direction extending to Wellington in the early morning and late at night.
There are only two stations:
There is still one train per day that runs directly between Walsall and Wolverhampton in one direction on weekdays only. This train departs Walsall at 19:36.
A new service calling at all local stations via Birmingham New street will operate, however London Midland advise passengers to use the 529 bus service instead.
West Midlands (region)
The West Midlands is an official region of England, covering the western half of the area traditionally known as the Midlands. It contains the second most populous British city, Birmingham, and the larger West Midlands conurbation, which includes the city of Wolverhampton and large towns of Dudley,...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It connects the town of Walsall
Walsall
Walsall is a large industrial town in the West Midlands of England. It is located northwest of Birmingham and east of Wolverhampton. Historically a part of Staffordshire, Walsall is a component area of the West Midlands conurbation and part of the Black Country.Walsall is the administrative...
to the city of Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
. For most of its length, it follows the part of the route of the original Grand Junction Railway
Grand Junction Railway
The Grand Junction Railway was an early railway company in the United Kingdom, which existed between 1833 and 1846 when it was merged into the London and North Western Railway...
.
Services and history
Passenger services, which are funded by CentroWest Midlands Passenger Transport Executive
The West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive , sometimes known as Centro, is a local government organisation responsible for certain transport services in the West Midlands county in England....
and operated by London Midland
London Midland
London Midland is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. Legally named London and Birmingham Railway Ltd, it is a subsidiary of Govia, and has operated the West Midlands franchise since 11 November 2007....
, operate hourly. These were reintroduced to the line in the late 1990s, having previously ceased as part of the Beeching Axe
Beeching Axe
The Beeching Axe or the Beeching Cuts are informal names for the British Government's attempt in the 1960s to reduce the cost of running British Railways, the nationalised railway system in the United Kingdom. The name is that of the main author of The Reshaping of British Railways, Dr Richard...
in 1965. However, the Strategic Rail Authority
Strategic Rail Authority
In existence from 2001 to 2006, the Strategic Rail Authority was a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom set up under the Transport Act 2000 to provide strategic direction for the railway industry....
's West Coast Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy proposed the withdrawal of the service in December 2006. Centro opposed this, and the service continued. There were also proposals to reopen the stations at and to increase passenger numbers and the viability of the service. During the early - mid 2000s, the line was used as part of an hourly service between Walsall and Wellington. But these services were withdrawn in 2006 and the service was reduced to an hourly service between Walsall and Wolverhampton, with only one or two trains per day in each direction extending to Wellington in the early morning and late at night.
There are only two stations:
- Walsall railway stationWalsall railway stationWalsall railway station is the principal railway station of Walsall, West Midlands, England and situated in the heart of the town. It is operated by London Midland, who run all of its train services...
- Wolverhampton railway stationWolverhampton railway stationWolverhampton railway station in Wolverhampton, West Midlands is on the West Coast Main Line. It is served by London Midland, CrossCountry, Virgin Trains and Arriva Trains Wales.-History:...
Axed
It was announced in July 2008 that the government is withdrawing funding for this service, and as a result the route is proposed to be closed to passengers as of December 2008 - all services will be axed. However the line will be kept open for use to freight trains, Wrexham and Shropshire passenger services and will also be used as a diversionary route when the west coast line is closed for engineering works. The service was withdrawn on the 13th December 2008.There is still one train per day that runs directly between Walsall and Wolverhampton in one direction on weekdays only. This train departs Walsall at 19:36.
A new service calling at all local stations via Birmingham New street will operate, however London Midland advise passengers to use the 529 bus service instead.