We have another pictorial update for you from the newly re-named Black Country line as construction work continues to make progress ahead of phase one of this West Midlands Metro extension opens, currently planned for late 2025.
As a reminder the Black Country line will leave the current Birmingham to Wolverhampton line at Wednesbury and will then move on to Dudley. That is where phase one of the line will terminate (at Flood Street) before the recently confirmed phase two to Merry Hill will continue. Possible funding options for the final phase of the originally planned line to Brierley Hill continue to be investigate by the West Midlands Combined Authority.
The first phase will see nine stops built and the below photos take a look at the stop which will be provided at Horseley Road. This is due to be the second new stop from Wednesbury (the first being Great Bridge) and will then be joined by Dudley Port, Sedgley Road, Birmingham New Road, Tipton Road, Dudley Castle, Dudley Bus Station and finally Flood Street.
Taken from Horseley Road bridge towards Wednesbury this photo shows how the placement of ballast has been progressing and now reaches this location.
The other side of the bridge and the Wednesbury bound track is now down up to the emerging platform although work remains to be done on the Dudley bound track.
Work continues on preparing the tramstop as well. This will include lifts to get down to track level from the street with the lift shaft currently being installed. (All Photographs by Chris Allsop-Buckler, 25th November 2024)