Brierley Hill West Midlands Metro line extension works to reach Sandwell

Whilst a lot of our West Midlands Metro extension attention has been drawn towards the second phase of the Birmingham Westside line it shouldn’t be forgotten that the first stages of work on the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill line are also underway and this month will see the start of work around Sandwell, with motorists being warned of associated road closures in connection with this work.

There will be a lane restriction on Sedgley Road East, Tipton from Monday 22nd June to allow an access road to be built ahead of works in the area which are scheduled to take place from the summer. Anyone travelling through Park Lane West and Sedgley Road East in the coming weeks and during the summer are being asked to leave more time for their journeys and to follow the clearly signposted diversionary routes. Bus services may also be diverted with public transport users advised to check with bus operators being setting out for their journeys.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension is a brilliant scheme for the Black Country, and I am determined we press ahead to help provide some economic certainty in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. I know the teams involved in the project have been busy throughout the crisis with design work and utility works in Dudley, so it’s great that those living in Sandwell can see this project getting underway in their area too. We, of course, apologise for any inconvenience that the work is going to cause, but this scheme is a critical part of our wider transport plans for the region and will make a real difference to residents.”

The temporary lane restriction on Sedgley Road East – between Mayfair Gardens and Sacred Heart School – will be in place for up to four weeks. Then later in the summer the same section will be completely closed to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic as the Midland Metro Alliance will start the first structure upgrade along the tram route. This will see the temporary removal of the railway bridge crossing the road. A replacement bridge will be erected later in the construction period but this stage will just see the removal of the old structure and is likely to take four weeks.

Cllr Jackie Taylor, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for sustainable transport, said: “We are very excited that these works will mark the start of construction on the new Metro extension from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill. This extension will bring much-needed investment and regeneration to Sandwell. The route will support those in Tipton and surrounding areas making it easier for people to travel around the region using a sustainable mode of transport. There will be some unavoidable disruption now and we urge those we are getting in contact with to heed travel advice from our colleagues.”

The 11 km extension of the West Midlands Metro will leave the current line at Wednesbury and travel to Brierley Hill with 17 new stops due to be constructed. The route will provide connectivity to Sandwell, Dudley and Brierley Hill including the intu Merry Hill Shopping Centre and the Black Country Living Museum.

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