The countdown to the opening of the West Midlands Metro Black Country line extension really does seem as if its on as excellent progress is now being made on various points of phase one. With the progress being made could it be that a “by the end of 2025” deadline may actually be met for trams to run from Wednesbury to Dudley? Andy Walters recently took a look at recent progress.
Track, ballast and overhead poles are all in place in this photo at the Wednesbury end of the line. Although wires have yet to be strung it is starting to look like a tramway on this section. Parts of the route are expected to be built sans overhead but large sections will still need it as its too long for complete battery operation.
This is Great Bridge where progress is being made on several fronts. The lift shaft is seen being installed on the right whilst on the left mid-distance we can see that work is underway on constructing the stop. Track has also been laid on one side as well.
Next stop along the line will be Horseley Road and we look down at the stop in this image. Both platforms are being worked on here with the relatively long shelters in place. There is also track down on both sides.
The iconic Hanson’s Mild Ale bridge was reinstalled last year and is now a reminder of the past with the future set to run over it. Work on the stop at Birmingham New Road is now underway as seen on the far right hand side here.
Plenty of equipment (and mud) at Tipton Road where the two platforms have been constructed although track laying has yet to commence. (All Photographs by Andy Walters)
Wednesbury – Brierley Hill to open in 2023
Wednesbury – Brierley Hill to open in 2024
Wednesbury – Dudley to open in 2024
Wednesbury – Dudley to open late 2024
Wednesbury – Dudley to open within the next year
Wednesbury – Dudley to open in 2025
Wednesbury – Dudley to open late 2025
Wednesbury – Dudley to open ????
That last shot is Tipton Road isn’t it, not Dudley Port. They hadn’t started the Dudley Port stop when I had a look a week or two back.