The new footpath linking Cosford railway station with RAF Museum Midlands was officially opened on Wednesday 21 October 2026, when representatives of Shropshire Council and the partners behind the scheme cut a ribbon on the route.
Until now, anyone walking the roughly 15 minutes between the station and the museum had to use the road or pick their way along the grass verge. The path along Worcester Road gives them a proper surface for the whole journey.
What has been built
- A continuous footpath along Worcester Road between the station and the museum.
- New street lighting with a bespoke paint finish inspired by the RAF roundel, the circular marking carried on RAF aircraft.
- Directional signs for people arriving by train.
- A 30mph speed limit along the route.
Work started in June 2026. The first section was laid over the summer, and the final surfacing and lighting were finished in October after a week-long closure of Worcester Road at the start of the month.
Who paid for it and who built it
The scheme was funded by Active Travel England and delivered by a partnership of Shropshire Council, the RAF Museum, RAF Cosford, WM Trains Ltd and the West Midlands Rail Executive. WSP designed the path, Kier built it, and DW Windsor supplied the lighting.
Barry Smith, the RAF Museum's director of visitor and income development, called it "an important step towards welcoming more visitors" and said a safer route makes the train a more attractive choice for visitors and staff. Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for transport and regeneration, described it as "a fantastic example" of partnership working.
Why it matters locally
The museum draws nearly 400,000 visitors a year, plus around 50,000 more for the RAF Cosford Air Show in June, and the site is growing under its Midlands development programme. A safe walking route from the station should mean fewer car journeys on the lanes around Cosford and Albrighton. Cosford station is one stop west of Albrighton on the Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury line.
Travelling by train
Until the end of 2026, the museum is offering a free ride on its Flight Simulator or 4D Experience to visitors who show a train ticket on arrival. The museum is open daily from 10am and entry is free.
Sources
- Shropshire Council Newsroom: New footpath opens between Cosford's station and RAF Museum (22 October 2026)
- Shropshire Star: New footpath opens between RAF Museum Cosford and train station (22 October 2026)
- Express & Star: New footpath opens between RAF Museum Cosford and train station (22 October 2026)
- RAF Museum: New footpath boosts safer, greener travel to RAF Museum (22 October 2026)
This story was written by Albrighton.org.uk from the reports above. Spotted an error? Let us know.