Good signal for new rail station

The relocation of Bloxwich railway station to a new site just a stone's throw away from its existing home has moved a step closer, it was revealed today.

Transport chiefs want to build a bigger station at Croxstalls Road to cope with an expected boost in passengers in the next few years.

And they now hope the path could be clear for the relocation from Croxdene Avenue as part of a package of improvements planned for the route from Birmingham to Rugeley, via Walsall.

Walsall Council principal regeneration officer Marie Newton said that the overhaul may prove key as it could attract operators to use the station for longer journeys.

"The track and signalling improvements would occur in conjunction with the Walsall area resignalling scheme," she said.

"One particular opportunity that the resignalling creates is the relocation of Bloxwich station. Network Rail is keen to close the level crossing at Bloxwich because the prediction is that the gates will be closed for 45 minutes in every hour as rail passenger and freight traffic increases.

"This makes it highly likely that within five years the Department for Transport will invoke its powers on health and safety grounds and close the crossing permanently.

"Currently, the line speed at the level crossing is reduced to 20mph, which makes the route unattractive to longer distance passenger services.

"By closing the crossing rather than upgrading the signals, Network Rail are prepared to put a significant sum of money into mitigating the impact on the surrounding road network and enabling the construction of a new station south of the existing station, including car parking and a significantly improved station environment."