In another pictorial update from the West Midlands Metro extension to Dudley we take a look at some of the more recent progress on the reserved section of the line at the start of route towards Wednesbury (before it gets to Dudley and becomes a more on-street tramway). Although some of these updates have shown little progress these photos – taken by Chris Allsop-Buckler – show more changes which includes the laying of track.
During a walk around the route between Horseley Road tramtop (the second new stop on the line) and Bagnall Street/Eagle Lane, Toll End, Chris Allsop-Buckler noted the following slow and steady progress:
- Track has been completed laid from Bagnall Street towards Wednesbury
- Track is now starting to go down at Great Bridge tramstop
- A temporary stepped pedestrian access has been put in place from Railway Street Horseley Heath down to the trackbed
- A fencing panel has been removed from Railway Street to allow vehicular delivery of aggregates
- Panelling being installed to Horseley Road tramstop
The completion of the extension as far as Flood Street, Dudley was officially delayed earlier this year with the current plan being that it will be ready for trams in late 2025. This is phase one of the extension with a further section to Merry Hill set to follow in the next few years whilst the line to Brierley Hill remains up in the air as funding does not exist for that part at the present time.
In this view we are at Bagnall Street and look back towards Wednesbury (where the extension leaves the current Wolverhampton to Birmingham line). Here we see track laid into the distance with more in the process of being installed in the foreground.
Looking in the opposite direction at Bagnall Street towards the first stop at Great Bridge we see work underway on preparing the trackbed for eventual laying of tracks.
Moving on to Great Bridge and since the last time we featured this location work has got underway on the installation of the track here. So far, its limited the start of the trackbed but does show signs of good progress.
A closer view at Great Bridge.
At Railway Street (just before the Horseley Road tramstop) where aggregate is being delivered.
This is Horseley Road tramstop where panelling was being installed. (All Photographs by Chris Allsop-Buckler, 23rd October 2024)
Is there any updates on Wolverhampton at George’s which closed to allow work to take place .
But a year and a bit on still not open to the public.