Conditional approval to begin work on an outline business case has been given the go-ahead by the Department for Transport for the project, which aims to build and open a station on the Sutton Park line.

The approval means that funding is now available to be drawn down in order to move the project forward into a more comprehensive design and development stage.

The project which will eventually support direct passenger services to Walsall is led by Transport for West Midlands, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, the West Midlands Rail Executive.

The development of the project will be funded via the £1.3 billion City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.

Aldridge Station fell victim to the Beeching cuts in 1965, leaving the town with the Sutton Park Line, which operates between Walsall and east Birmingham, serving freight only.

The project aims to see the return of passenger services to Aldridge with a proposed single platform station which will be located on the edge of the town centre and supported by an access road from Westfield Drive.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “With diggers already in the ground working on three new stations on the Camp Hill line alongside Darlaston and Willenhall stations on the Walsall to Wolverhampton line, Aldridge will be a very welcome sixth addition to our region.”

“This is another step forward as we rebuild and reopen many of the railway stations closed by the Beeching cuts of the past – all part of our plans to better connect communities and give local people a genuine alternative to the car.”

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to public transport and so we will continue to seek to revive even more stations and passenger services in the months and years ahead.”

The new station will see half-hourly diesel shuttle services into Walsall taking only six minutes. At Walsall station, passengers will be able to use a cross-platform interchange which supports electric services both to and from Birmingham, enabling people travelling from Aldridge to access Birmingham in roughly 38 minutes.

Transport for West Midlands, West Midlands Rail Executive, Network Rail and other partners are currently investigating methods to enable electric service to operate to Aldridge in the future.

Cllr Mike Bird, WMCA portfolio lead for transport and leader of Walsall Council, said: “Having its own station will provide a huge benefit for the residents of Aldridge, giving them easier access to jobs, leisure and education opportunities further afield.”

“It will also improve access for workers and visitors to Aldridge’s town centre and industrial parks, giving much-needed support to local businesses.”

Neil Gaskin, programme director of Network Rail’s Central route, said: “Together with Transport for West Midlands, we are excited to be working towards reconnecting Aldridge to the passenger rail network once again. The railway brings many social, economic and environmental benefits and this station would be a major boost for the town and surrounding area.”