Connection between old and new on West Midlands Metro reaches the end

Construction of the structure which will allow trams to run onto the new West Midlands Metro line to Dudley and Brierley Hill from the current line between Birmingham and Wolverhampton is reaching a conclusion, as seen in a recent site visit by Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street. With work on the main structure coming towards the end there is also a warning of disruption to tram services over he Easter period whilst the tracks are joined between the two lines.

We saw photos of the structure last month – to be known as Tipton Junction – which has been a major infrastructure project for the extension. It stands at over 6.2 metres tall and will be part of the latest delta junction on the network to allow trams to run onto the extension to Dudley, which is still down as opening at some point this year.

On a visit to the site on Friday 2^nd February, Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “This is a crucial milestone in the construction of the new extension through Sandwell and Dudley and will link the new extension to the existing line. Talked about for decades, we’re now actually making it happen. We’re now within touching distance and set to see a service open to Dudley within a year. This is good news for local people and businesses in Sandwell and Dudley who can look forward to a rapid and frequent tram service offering vastly improved links to the wider region. Our investment in the Metro offers residents a convenient alternative to the car, helps us tackle the climate emergency and draws in investment that supports the regeneration of our much-loved towns and cities.”

Whilst it is good news that work has progressed sufficiently that it nearly at the end, it does mean that there will be a period of disruption for services on the current West Midlands Metro network. From Saturday 23^rd March to Tuesday 9^th April there will be no trams running between Wednesbury and Birmingham City Centre – further details of this will follow in due course but its confirmed services will continue to run from Wednesbury to Wolverhampton.

And there has also been some joined up thinking as during this same period Sandwell Council are going to take the opportunity to complete the demolition and construction of Dudley Street bridge which goes over the Metro line close to Dudley Street Guns Village Stop. This work will continue for a further six weeks and so there will be more service changes for that, expected to impact evening services between Wednesbury and Birmingham.

When it opens the Dudley line (the first phase of the Brierley Hill line) will see nine new stops added to the West Midlands Metro network. It will have an initial terminus at Flood Street in Dudley.