Local residents and businesses will get a chance later this month to find out more information about the planned West Midlands Metro extension from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill via Dudley at a number of events taking place across the area. The 11km route is expected to start operation in 2023 and these events are all part of the engagement exercise to make sure everyone gets the chance to find out more before construction begins.
It is hoped that the extension will help to regenerate the Wednesbury, Dudley and Brierley Hill areas which will make it more attractive to investors as well as providing easy access to the Merry Hill Shopping Centre as well as several attractions including the Black Country Living Museum and Dudley Zoo.
The route will leave the current Birmingham-Wolverhampton line at Wednesbury before travelling to Brierley Hill via (up to) 17 stops. It will travel by way of Tipton and Dudley and new stops are planned to be constructed at Golds Hill, Great Bridge, Horseley Road, Dudley Port, Sedgley Road East, Birmingham New Road, Tipton Road, Station Drive, Dudley Town Centre, Flood Street, New Road, Cinder Bank, Pedmore Road, Canal Street, Waterfront. Merry Hill and Brierley Hill. Investigations are continuing whether sections of the route can be built without overhead.
Speaking at the launch of the engagement events, Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Transport for West Midlands is revolutionising the region’s public transport network with a £4 billion upgrade plan to improve existing and create new journeys for passengers all across the West Midlands. As part of this plan we are opening a metro route from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill, something that will undoubtedly bring huge benefits to Dudley and the wider Black Country. Not only is design work now underway but residents and businesses can find out more about our scheme and what it will mean for them by dropping into one of the many events taking place in the coming weeks. This extension has been a long time coming and I am delighted that we are pressing ahead at full speed.”
Alejandro Moreno, Director of the Midland Metro Alliance, said: “Over the next twelve months, a lot of the work taking place for the route may not be hugely visible. We’re completing detailed designs and upgrading and diverting utilities. However, we urge local people to come to our events throughout the autumn to find out a little more about when they can expect to see us working in the area.”
Events will take place as follows:
Monday 11th November 1800-2100: Tipton Muslim Community Centre
Wednesday 13th November 1500-2100: Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust, Dudley
Thursday 14th November 1500-2100: Coneygre Community Centre
Monday 18th November 1000-1600: Copthorne Hotel, Brierley Hill
Tuesday 19th November 1500-2100: Woodside Methodist Church, Dudley
Monday 25th November 1500-2100: New Road Methodist Church, Tipton
Tuesday 26th November 1000-1600: Village Hotel, Dudley