Accessibility improvements at three West Midlands train stations have been shelved by the Department for Transport.

Efforts to improve accessibility at West Midlands train stations have been halted by the Department for Transport.

Small Heath in Birmingham, Ledbury in Herefordshire and Whitchurch in Shropshire, were initially part of a scheme called Access for All that were part of a wider project that included 50 train stations set to improve its accessibility.

Since 2006, the Access for All programme has delivered step-free accessible routes at more than 270 stations.

However, the Department of Transport shared that these three West Midlands train stations are part of 19 projects ‘will not be progressing at this point’.

A Department for Transport spokesperson, said, “In May 2024, the previous government announced feasibility work on 50 stations without indicating how the delivery of such schemes would be funded, raising significant stakeholder expectations. This government is committed to a rigorous approach and only making commitments we believe are affordable and would represent value for money to passengers and taxpayers.”

The Rail Minister has written to the MP representing each of the 50 stations announced by the previous government.

He has offered to meet to explain the decision for those 19 projects which will not be progressing at this point.