Rails for Dudley Metro extension arrive as Mayor pledges to buy British steel

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, has become the first Metro Mayor in the UK to sign up to the UK Steel charter in order to promote UK-made steel in the region and support the economy with the first results of this recently arriving in the form of new rails to be laid for the West Midlands Metro extension from Wednesbury to Dudley.

The Midland Metro Alliance have confirmed that they have ordered 860 tonnes of UK-made steel to be used in the rails for the extension. Staff from the Alliance recently visited British Steel’s manufacturing facilities in Scunthorpe to review and approve the manufacturing processes and product quality for the 39E1 flat bottom which have been successfully manufactured and delivered to the project.

Safe storage and handling of such a huge quantity of rail is challenge, but working in partnership, British Steel and the Midland Metro Alliance has identified and agreed suitable locations through joint site visits. All rails were delivered during summer 2023 ready to be used on the extension.

Andy Street said: “By signing the UK Steel Charter, we’re signalling our commitment to back British steel supporting well paid and highly skilled manufacturing jobs and training opportunities that will benefit local people right across our region. This initiative can help to increase the amount of high quality steel manufactured in Britain and increase the supply of British made steel contributing to key West Midlands projects. I very much hope our decision will encourage others to follow suit – impacting positively on the supply chain, our region and indeed the wider UK economy in the months and years ahead.”