As the wait goes on for more tram testing and an eventual start of service on the West Midlands Metro extension to Wolverhampton Railway Station we take another trip to see progress on construction – and there is still work going on up at the railway station end of the line; despite the last press release stating that work here had now finished.
On Monday 15th May 2023, Andy Walters took a walk of the complete route from where it starts on Piper’s Row all the way through to the railway station. At the Piper’s Row end of the route it still looks much as it has done for some time with most of the work having been finished (although there are to be temporary road closures at the end of this month for more resurfacing to take place).
But on this visit there was evidence of work taking place towards the terminus outside the railway station. This mainly seems to be including the laying of the block paving which will be surrounding the tracks here. There is also work underway to install drainage for where the water runs down the slope from the bridge on the approach to the station.
A spring opening date is still the aim.
A view of the Wolverhampton Railway Station tramstop where we can see three workmen involved in the finishing works here.
The tracks are on the right of this shot with the railway stop behind the photographer. The area in the centre and left of the photo will require final surfacing but shouldn’t actually stop trams from running.
Another look at Wolverhampton Railway Station stop.
The very end of the line.
Some of the drainage being installed. (All Photographs by Andy Walters, 15th May 2023)
Some one on twitter asked Midland Metro when does the line open to the railway station the reply was later this year
Slow and intermittent tinkering goes on and on as if all the money spent to build it was just a construction exercise and not actually to build something with a purpose – to serve the public. Blackpool too, sadly with a year and more gone since trams ran to North Station just so that Boris Johnson could see them. In contrast, they’ve got the show on the road in Edinburgh. There may be something to learn from Edinburgh for the West Midlands and Blackpool.