Thursday, November 3, 2022
FEATURE Pet of the Week is a real Nugget Page 13
WALSALL EDITION
NEWS Pride award for heroic officers Page 15
SPORT Nothing to stop me, says Liam 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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The Black Country’s world toe wrestling champion has called out Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson to step up to the ‘toedium’. And Hollywood mega-star The Rock has actually entertained the idea of competing. The actor and former WWE star said: “Let’s think about this, I have the opportunity to go back to WrestleMania or toe wrestling. We know it has to be toe wrestling, I need to become the toe wrestling champion.” The World Toe Wrestling Championships, which were created in the 1970s, take place annually in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. And current
world champion, 33-year-old Ben Woodroffe, from Walsall, is the man The Rock will need to topple to take the coveted trophy. The material controller, who lives with his fiancée Ruby in Blakenall, said: “I have been toe wrestling for 11 years now. I remember as a kid I was not the most athletic person in the world, but thought ‘I could be good at this’. “I got myself up the ranks and this year I became world champion.” After The Rock teased a potential appearance on the toedium, Ben said he would jump at the chance to put the sport in the spotlight.
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World Toe Wrestling champion Ben Woodroffe, of Walsall
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