Tram-trains for Wolverhampton to Walsall?

Another extension to Midland Metro could be on the cards with Centro investigating whether the Walsall-Wolverhampton rail line could be converted to allow tram-trains to operate. The direct service on this line last ran in 2008 but was axed because there were not enough passengers to make it a viable service and rail bosses have resisted all calls to reinstate it as they don’t believe this situation has changed. But now with the proposed Wolverhampton city centre extension being developed which would serve the railway station the chance could well be taken to link this with the railway line to Walsall.

Tom Magrath, Centro’s Director of Policy and Strategy, said: “Centro will continue to actively promote the potential for the reinstatement of the Walsall to Wolverhampton rail service within our various plans. However, tram-train potentially offers an alternative solution to the lack of rail connectivity which could offer significant benefits over heavy rail including lower operating costs, better access to urban centres and improved interchange with other transport modes.”

Initial plans being looked at by Centro would see tram-trains leaving the existing railway line before Wolverhampton station and then running under the railway lines near Freeman Street before making a connection with the Midland Metro extension. It is not yet known where the services would terminate with various suggestions including Wolverhampton Interchange, Wolverhampton St George’s (via a newly constructed curve) or other destinations on the Midland Metro network.

It should be stressed that these are only very early plans and there is no guarantee that they would ever come of anything. In any case Centro will have to wait the results of the tram-train pilot due to take place between Sheffield and Rotherham.

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