It remained open for goods traffic as the district became highly industrialised in the heyday of the Black Country's industrial past.
Local industry declined after World War II and road transport became more common.
A £1,100,000/15-year-long regeneration project is expected to re-open the closed section of railway through Dudley[2] as a combined Midland Metro tramway with a separate heavy rail line for goods trains.
[3][needs update] The freighters would continue on past Brettell Lane railway station and on to the mainline at Stourbridge junction.
[3] Due to a combination of the COVID-19 lockdown, cost overruns and delays the Metro line is expected to open as far as Dudley in 2025.