Midland Metro services were severely disrupted on Friday 6th November after damage to the overhead at The Hawthorns. The problem was discovered at approximately 1300 and saw through tram services from Wolverhampton St George’s to St Paul’s suspended for several hours whilst repairs were undertaken. And then to compound matters during the evening problems with traffic lights meant no trams could run beyond Priestfield.
Initially when the problem was discovered Metro services ran as normal from Wolverhampton St George’s and West Bromwich Central with passengers advised to continue their journeys by normal service bus. A one tram shuttle service was initially operated from St Paul’s to Handsworth Booth Street; after repairs were completed on one of the lines this shuttle service was extended to West Bromwich Central but passengers had to change trams to continue through to Wolverhampton. The split service was expected to continue until at least the end of service.
Further problems were then experienced along Bilston Road with traffic lights which led to no trams being able to operate between Priestfield and Wolverhampton St George’s. So from 1800 trams were running Priestfield to West Bromwich Central and from West Bromwich Central to St Paul’s. A day to forget for Midland Metro!
25 stranded outside The Hawthorns. Engineers are already on hand surveying the scene.
One of the engineers kindly points towards the problem. The wire seems to be sagging a bit! (Photographs by Andy Walters)