Engineering works on the West Midlands Metro have got underway as planned with services on the line only running from Wolverhampton Railway Station to Wednesbury (either Parkway or Great Western Street). The main purpose of these works are to connect the new extension to Dudley with the existing Birmingham-Wolverhampton line but the chance is also being taken to undertake other rail replacement works.
As from the start of service on Saturday 23rd March trams were only running between Wolverhampton Railway Station and Wednesbury Parkway for the first stage of the works. Then as from Tuesday 26th March the available section of line for trams will be extended the short distance to Wednesbury Great Western Street. This second phase of works will continue until Tuesday 9th April.
A lot of the work in connecting the two lines together will be taking place out of sight with limited public views but initial progress with that work has seen some overhead wire taken down and track removed in preparation for further progress.
As well as the announced works on Dudley Street bridge which is seeing Sandwell Council remove and replace the structure, West Midlands Metro are also undertaking rail replacement works through various stops on the closed section of the line.
The workers are starting at West Bromwich Central and will gradually make their way south.
The scene at Wednesbury Great Western Street on the first day of the closure. Track sits on a trailer behind a road rail vehicle whilst in the distance work is underway on the overhead.
Work at West Bromwich Central where workers are removing the pedestrian crossings in preparation for removal of track and its relay.
New ballast is unloaded. (All Photographs by Andy Walters, 23rd March 2024)
Noticed this morning the grass is been replaced at the Edgbaston Village stop.