Whisper it quietly but there could be an end in sight for construction work on the short West Midlands Metro extension to Wolverhampton Railway Station. Midland Metro Alliance – who are in charge of all construction for WMM extensions – have confirmed that the final stage of works will get underway from Monday 6th February, and that it should only take up to eight weeks to be finished. And then after that? The first trams should be able to start testing on the route! No timeline for that one yet though.
The finishing works are needed along Piper’s Row and Railway Drive and will require some temporary traffic management to be installed. This will include lane restrictions and then for four weeks from 20th February there will be diversions to some bus routes. There will also be the sight of temporary traffic lights too.
A spokesperson from Midland Metro Alliance said: “Ahead of testing and commissioning beginning, there are some additional activities which need to be undertaken to ensure that tram tests are able to be carried out efficiently. You will still be able to access all businesses and retailers during the works, including both the Mander and Wulfrun shopping centres. There will be clearly signed diversion routes to assist pedestrians and vehicles users to find their way around the city centre. Access to all surrounding streets will remain until mid-March when further traffic changes will be implemented. More details will be shared as the work progresses.”
Unfortunately, whilst this is undoubtedly good news there is a bit of a sting in the tail for regular travellers on the West Midlands Metro as towards the end of the work there will be changes to services on the current line. No details as yet as to what this may be presumably services will be turned short of Wolverhampton St George’s at The Royal or Priestfield to allow the two lines to be connected. It has also been said that during testing and commissioning there may also be an impact to the current service.
The line may be late (it should have opened 2020) and over budget (£35 million has gone up t £50 million) but it looks as if there may, just possibly, be an end in sight and trams may be running to Wolverhampton Railway Station sooner rather than later. Although, of course, we have no opening date just yet – as soon as anything is announced we will bring it to you here!
Unless it’s to with driver learning route.
Whizzo! Additional activities now before anything happens. How many years have they had to perform these additional activities?.
In the great age of tram roll out around the UK 1890s to 1915 approx I just wonder how long it took from the first planning or council decision to go tram how long it took to get passengers mobile. Also how the makers and the suppliers of electricity took to bring very much serious new technology about.
Is it forward planning today or is it a cream bun with the jam later.
Just a little unimpressed.