West Midlands Trains has announced that it has plans to build a new state-of-the-art train depot.

The development is a key part of the train company’s £1 billion investment programme and will see more trains for rail passengers and also create 100 jobs for people in the Sandwell area.

This investment will also see a 25% increase in capacity by 2021 and will make travel easier for West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway passengers.

Bescot freight yard and maintenance yard, in Wednesbury, is being looked at as the future home of the new electric trains for West Midlands Trains – these are currently under construction in Derby.

However, the operator has confirmed that this development is NOT connected to the Network Rail sleeper facility proposal, which has seen people concerned over the proposal.

No decisions have been made, and West Midlands Trains is in the early stages of preparing a planning application.

All planning is subject to approval from Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.

West Midlands Trains is holding a public meeting about the project on Wednesday 5 February 2020 at the Savoy and Mayfair Rooms, Walsall Football Club from 6.30–8:30 pm.

What did the officials say?

West Midlands Trains project director Jane Fisher said:

“Our new trains will bring a step change in local rail services and this state-of-the-art depot will bring over 100 new jobs to the local area.

“We know some local people may have concerns about the proposed developments at the Bescot site in Wednesbury, and we want them to come and share their views with us.

We have already met with some members of the local community and we are committed to working with residents in Wednesbury to address any concerns they may have as we develop our plans and to have them as part of shaping the future of our local transport services.”

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