Track removed as part of work to prepare the route of the new West Midlands Metro extension between Wednesbury and Brierley Hill has been donated to the Severn Valley Railway to help them with their annual track replacement programme. More than a mile of disused track has been donated having been removed as part of the initial stages of preparing the trackbed for the Metro extension.
Sonny Hudson, Delivery Manager at the Midland Metro Alliance, said: “I am pleased that during construction for the extension we have been able to help preserve heritage for generations to come. Being part of the team that helped remove the rail makes it ever more rewarding to see it in its final position. The Midland Metro Alliance puts sustainability at the heart of everything it does and this project is not just about putting spades in the ground but supporting the communities across the Midlands, whether that be through local employment, charity support or donations such as this. We couldn’t be happier to have donated to such a worthy organisation.”
The West Midlands Metro extension to Brierley Hill is due to open in 2023 and will run for 11km including 17 new stops. It is said to be the biggest light rail project currently in the UK with work till at the very early stage. The removed track has come from a disused railway line which will form part of the new route.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “We are great supporters of our heritage railways and know that many thousands of people enjoy reliving the golden age of steam with a ride on the Severn Valley Railway. So it is fantastic that the track from the former South Staffordshire Railway, which we don’t need as part of our Midland Metro expansion plans, will be recycled and once again used on an active railway line. The Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension will help bring huge economic benefits to the region, which is why it is so important for us to support local businesses, particularly as they bounce back from the Covid-19 crisis.”