Work to uncover and upgrade utilities close to Merry Hill in preparation for the constriction of the West Midlands Metro extension from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill is set to get underway early in 2022. The work will be close to the Merry Hill Shopping Centre with preliminary work on The Embankment, Brierley Hill the first to be affected from Monday 17th January 2022.
The Embankment will be fully closed to all vehicular traffic for around five weeks with motorists being told to plan ahead and leave more time for their journey using real-time information provided by West Midlands Roads.
Cllr Simon Phipps, Dudley Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise, said: “he benefits to the borough and indeed the region of the Metro link will be wide reaching, increasing public transport provisions for students, residents, commuters and those visiting our borough, helping them to move freely across the West Midlands and make the most of all the opportunities our region has to offer.”
This first phase of works is due to be completed in time for the February Half-Term week and will be followed by further utility upgrades and diversions throughout the winter and early Spring 2022 period. Localised lane restrictions will be in place.
Mosin Khurshid, Head of Utilities at the Midland Metro Alliance, said: “Construction for the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill route has been well underway throughout 2020 and 2021, and we are delighted that we are now in a position to begin activity near to Merry Hill in 2022. When in operation, this new route will provide easy access to Merry Hill via fast and frequent public transport, which will be fantastic for the people of Dudley and the wider West Midlands. These works will lead to some disruption for road users, particularly during the first phase of activity, however we have been and will continue to work closely with Dudley Council and Transport for West Midlands to minimise impact wherever possible.”
The Wednesbury to Brierley Hill extension is due to open in 2023 and will include 14 additional stops joining the West Midlands Metro network.