It may be two years before trams are likely to start running on the West Midlands Metro extension to Brierley Hill but work is well underway on the project now, albeit at that early stage where it just looks as holes are being dug although there is still progress being made. In this latest pictorial update we head into Dudley where utility diversion work has been taking place and is now entering the next stage of construction.
Castle Hill in Dudley is one of the locations on the 11km extension which has seen work take place so far. The utility diversion works have now been completed with attention being turned towards preparations for the installation of track. This has seen the old road surface being removed and the trackbed is now being prepared for the eventual installation of track.
Elsewhere on the route a new bridge is being installed in Tipton, retaining walls are being put up for a tram stop in Sedgley Road East, Sandwell and there have been mineshaft investigations at various locations in Dudley and Sandwell.
The route from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill is due to open in 2023 with at least 16 new stops, with additional provision for a further two stops. It hasn’t been decided yet whether overhead will be provided on the entire route with considerations being made for allowing battery operation on some sections.
Immediately outside the entrance to Dudley Zoo where the old road surface has been removed and attention is being turned to preparing it for the installation of track.
Looking away from the Zoo towards Castle Gate Island and we see work continuing to prepare the track bed.
Another view outside the Zoo, again showing early stages of the work to get ready for track installation.
One final look at Castle Hill in Dudley. (All Photographs by Andy Walters, 13th September 2021)