Local councillors have pledged to fight proposals to end the Walsall to Wolverhampton rail service next year.

In a document published today setting out details of the new West Midlands rail franchise to replace Central Trains, the Government said it was unwilling to underwrite the Black Country rail link.  That means it can only be spared from the axe if local council taxpayers pick up the bill.

“We have said all along that the Government should be looking to invest in and improve local rail services, “says Centro-PTA chairman Cllr Gary Clarke.  “While much of the new franchise plan is good news and even encourages train companies to think about passenger growth, this should be applied right across the West Midlands.”

Centro-PTA, which represents local passenger and business interests, now has until August to respond to the franchise proposals and fight for the Department for Transport to change its mind.

The hourly Walsall to Wolverhampton service was given a ‘stay of execution’ earlier this year while the DfT considered the details of how to replace the existing Central Trains franchise.  At that time Cllr Clarke and his colleagues issued a ‘use it or lose it’ appeal to passengers on the line.

“Elsewhere in the region train companies have been asked to provide costs for individual services to see whether should be included and we don’t see why the DfT should not take the same approach in the Black Country,” adds Cllr Keith Chambers, Centro-PTA lead member for rail.