Regeneration
New footbridge craned into place in major milestone for Willenhall Station delivery
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A major construction milestone was reached for the new Willenhall Railway Station over the weekend when a 77-tonne footbridge was successfully craned into place, marking a significant step forward for the Black Country rail route.
The intricate overnight operation saw a massive 450-tonne crane carefully lift sections of the footbridge into position. Starting at 01:00 AM on Sunday, the work also involved the installation of additional infrastructure, including two lift shafts and bridge pods. The main 22-tonne bridge span was the final part to be craned in early yesterday (Sunday 13 July).
A team of nine operatives worked meticulously throughout the night to ensure the safe and precise installation, minimising disruption to the surrounding area. The process was captured by timelapse video footage released by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM).
The installation follows progress on the construction of a new station at nearby Darlaston, where a footbridge and staircases were also recently installed. The new structures at both Willenhall and Darlaston form the central spine of each station, linking platforms and paving the way for the next phase of work.
Yesterday’s lift in Willenhall follows similar activity undertaken in Darlaston earlier in the month, in a sign that both Black Country stations remain on track for passenger services beginning next year.
“ It’s great to see another step towards the completion of Willenhall Railway Station; something that we have been campaigning on for a number of years.
When the station opens it will be a great asset for the people of Willenhall, better connecting residents to the wider West Midlands network, so reaching this milestone is great news for the borough “
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The installation of the footbridge at Willenhall Station, hot on the heels of the Darlaston station works, represents a big stride forward for this project.
“The installation of major pieces of infrastructure is a visible sign of the station taking shape and a testament to the hard work of the teams both on site and behind the scenes.
“The work at Willenhall Station is just one of the range of projects in my plan to improve journeys for everyone, which is fundamental to my upcoming plan for growth for the region.”
The new Willenhall and Darlaston Stations are being built by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), in partnership with West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE), Network Rail, West Midlands Railway and Walsall Council. Both stations are on track to open in early 2026.
The stations will provide local residents and businesses with improved access to jobs, leisure, and education opportunities across the region, making rail travel more accessible, sustainable, and convenient for passengers.
The stations are part of a broader West Midlands Rail Programme, which is delivering new and upgraded stations across the region, including three new stations in south Birmingham as part of the Camp Hill Railway project.
