Trams should be running on the West Midlands Metro extension to Wolverhampton Railway Station by the end of the year after the first sections of track were laid outside the station – the final section which needs to be completed having been deferred during the station redevelopment works. This significant milestone was, of course, the ideal opportunity for another local dignitary photo opp with Mayor the West Midlands Metro, Andy Street amongst those who visited the worksite.
40 metres of double track has been put down on Railway Drive and the crossover has also been recently installed as well with progress on the project moving at a good pace now it has been able to resume. The final phase of the main construction of the extension is taking place outside the revamped Station Plaza and this latest milestone follows a significant concrete pour last month.
Andy Street said: “I am delighted to see that significant progress continues to be made on the Wolverhampton City Centre Metro extension. It was just a few short weeks ago that the team were celebrating a successful concrete pour on the project, and so it is brilliant that we are now marking another important milestone with track already laid for the extension. This scheme will make a real difference to the West Midlands, both by improving public transport links for commuters, as well as boosting our economy and creating and protecting local jobs.”
The Wolverhampton Town Centre extension is being built without overhead with trams due to run under battery power as they do on the first section of the Birmingham Westside extension. It will see two new stops opened – one on Piper’s Row by the bus station and the other outside the railway station giving a true integrated transport network in the city.
Cllr Stephen Simkins, City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “Connecting the Metro to the very front door of our brand new railway station is what our award-winning Interchange project to deliver the very best connectivity between all modes of transport is all about – and I am delighted to see the first sections of track being laid in the Station Plaza. The new Interchange is already proving to be a game-changer for Wolverhampton by helping to attract the first Government department headquarters outside of Whitehall, at the i9 building next to the railway station and Metro. It is a big part of how we are re-imagining and re-inventing our city centre to help boost the local economy, create jobs and make the most of our canalside areas, where we have major housing plans.”
No exact date has been announced for the opening of this extension although it has previously been stated that it should open by the end of the year – along with the final phase of the Birmingham Westside extension out to Hagley Road in Edgbaston.