Birmingham councillor urges a new approach for the delayed railway station project, suggesting a direct route to Birmingham instead of Walsall.
Huxtable believes reopening the Sutton Park line would help with housing developments in Langley and Castle Bromwich. He first proposed this idea at a meeting last July. At a recent committee meeting, the Mayor asked him to submit his proposal for consideration.
The original plan for Aldridge Station included diesel services to Walsall. This plan was put forward by former Mayor Andy Street. So far, £3.6 million has been secured for feasibility studies. However, the project has faced delays due to rising costs and is currently on hold until full funding is available.
The Mayor had commissioned a review, which revealed that only £3.6 million of the needed £30 million has been secured. Conservative MP Wendy Morton criticized the Mayor, claiming he was misleading about the station’s funding. She stated that she and Street had secured the full amount for completion by 2027.
During the meeting, Huxtable questioned why the route goes to Walsall instead of Birmingham. He suggested connecting Aldridge to Birmingham via Sutton Park, which would support new housing and economic growth. He also proposed adding a station in Castle Bromwich.
The Mayor welcomed Huxtable’s ideas but noted they differ from the original project. He encouraged Huxtable to submit his proposal for review, emphasizing the need for a solid business case to ensure value for money.
