Thursday, November 3, 2022
FEATURE Pet of the Week is a real Nugget Page 13
SANDWELL & HALESOWEN EDITION
NEWS Pride award for heroic officers Page 15
SPORT Boss Corberan ‘needs time’ Page 28
The region’s biggest free weekly newspaper Price when sold £1.20
SHAKE-UP OF RAIL TRAVEL
Major railway schemes over almost three decades will cement the West Midlands’ role at the “heart” of the country’s economy and transport network, chiefs have said. Transport leaders have unveiled major plans for the railway network up to 2050 which will see stations built, lines opened and a string of service improvements made. They say they are remaining optimistic despite the impact of Covid-19 still being felt. And they are confident the completion of the first two phases of controversial rail scheme HS2 will be a major boost to the region. West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, chair of the West Midlands
Report by Thomas Parkes Rail Executive (WMRE) which released a consultation over its draft proposals, said: “We are making great progress on developing our rail network with new stations in the pipeline on the Camp Hill Line and at Darlaston and Willenhall, and working with our partners like West Midlands Trains to improve services and rolling stock. “There is no doubt that rail is facing challenges following the Covid-19 pandemic but this strategy shows that passenger numbers will return and it remains a crucial part of our transport network.”
More services will run between London and Shrewsbury, through Wolverhampton, by 2026. Another major proposal is for a station in Tettenhall. The stop would be the first after trains leave Wolverhampton, before travelling on to Bilbrook, Codsall, and into Shropshire. Other proposals would see Birmingham to Crewe services routed via Darlaston and Willenhall stations, due to open in 2024 – by 2026. Walsall services will include Aldridge railway station, and by 2050 the Lichfield to Walsall line would be reopened. The former South Staffordshire line connects both locations, but was closed down due to low passenger numbers.
Petition to keep ‘lifeline’ bus service A petition has been launched to keep a “lifeline” bus service set to be scrapped after Christmas. The 65 bus is one of several services Travel for West Midlands has selected to scrap in the new year. The bus, which runs from Darlaston to Wood End, is the only service which serves the people of the
Friar Park estate in Wednesbury. Wednesbury North Councillor Elaine Costigan has launched the petition to show Travel for West Midlands the strength of feeling about the route’s axe. She said: “This is a lifeline for some of our elderly. We need as many people as possible to sign the petition to show Diamond Buses and
Travel for West Midlands this bus cannot be scrapped.” Friar Park Councillor Simon Hackett is also fighting the axing of the 65 service. He said: “Everyone should sign this petition. I have raised my own objections to Transport For West Midlands who have suggested the bus be scrapped.”
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An annual campaign to tackle a range of issues including hate crime, county lines and other issues in Sandwell has officially been launched. The Safer 6 campaign will run until December 11 and will provide advice on a range of topics with events and activities taking place at each of Sandwell’s towns. It has been pulled together by Sandwell Council along with West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service and various other organisations.
The campaign was kick-started at Asda in Cape Hill, Smethwick, and it will remain in the town until Sunday before heading to Tipton from Monday until November 13. It will the call at Oldbury from November 14 to 20, then Wednesbury from November 21-27, West Bromwich from November 28 to December 4 and then at Rowley Regis from December 5-11. Visit sandwell.gov.uk/safer6 to find out more about activities in the towns and follow #Safer6 on Twitter and Instagram.
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