Help us to re-open the Stourbridge to Dudley Railway line

BRIDGE THE GAP- HELP US TO RE-OPEN THE STOURBRIDGE TO DUDLEY RAILWAY LINE

Stop Press

Come and have your say about the Stourbridge Railway Line and our ambition to restore a Dudley Link: Our A.G.M and public forum is being held on May 8th at St Saviours Church Hall, Hagley, Worcestershire, commencing at 7.30 p.m. We have invited representatives of the local transport authorities and train companies including the future operators of the Central Trains franchise.

On the 29th of July 1962 the last passenger train to Wolverhampton via Dudley pulled out of Stourbridge Junction and rolled over the magnificent viaduct at Stambermill. Five years later Dudley station had been demolished and the tracks to Wolverhampton lifted, completely eliminating the direct through service from Oxford to Wolverhampton via Worcester
.A rail journey to Wolverhampton from Stourbridge or beyond, now involves a change at Smethwick Galton Bridge- a considerable diversion. Similarly, a trip from any north Worcestershire town to the Merry Hill Centre involves a train to Cradley Heath and a bus connection.
The southern section of the Dudley line remains open for freight and part of the track and track bed from Dudley will form the Midland Metro extension from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill. Surely there is no logic in leaving such a short gap in passenger journey opportunity from Brierley Hill to Stourbidge?
The main objective of the Stourbridge Line User Group is to re-establish a RAIL link from North Worcestershire to Dudley or at least as far as The Waterfront (Round Oak) for a light rail connection to the Merry Hill Centre.
The Group seeks more than a shuttle service between two end stations with no intermediate stop. It has to be a HEAVY RAIL service commencing in Worcester/ Kidderminster or a LIGHT RAIL link from Stourbridge with a multitude of tram stations. Either option would have a passenger base to justify the operation.
The Merry Hill Centre cannot be un-invented and even its critics will admit that it is a magnet for shoppers from far and wide. No other development has put so much traffic on the roads of the Black Country and that is partly because there is no rail link.
The Group does not want to drag trade from smaller towns. We believe there would be two- way traffic, particularly now that Kidderminster has been redeveloped. In addition, tourist attractions could be more easily accessed.
Help us to re-open this valuable railway line. Visit our website- www.stourbridgelineusergroup.info
And if you support us, become a member of the Stourbridge Line User Group.