Construction work is continuing on the West Midlands Metro Black Country line extension as we see in this latest pictorial update. The line will be the next extension to open on the West Midlands Metro with the current plans being that it will see its first services by the end of this year. It will run from Wednesbury to Dudley and this is just the first phase of what was once to be called the Brierley Hill line with phase two now funded which will enable it to reach Merry Hill. Andy Walters with these photos.
One of the more recent areas of progress has been connected to the installation of overhead support poles. This work has been taking place at Tipton Junction (where the current line between Birmingham and Wolverhampton, and the new extension will join) and on the line towards Great Bridge.
Several stops on the extension do not have level access from the street and so will require lifts and steps for the public to get to them. This includes Great Bridge where work is well underway on installing the lift.
The stop at Birmingham New Road where the iconic Hansons Ale bridge was re-installed last year is also progressing. Both the platforms and landscaping have seen significant work undertaken.
Further work is needed at Dudley Bus Station with the basic structure of the platforms in place but still awaiting completion. More work on landscaping is taking place.
The end of the line – for now – will be Flood Street just on the outskirts of Dudley Town Centre. Track is down and much of the platform work has been completed. Lots of landscaping is still to be done. (All Photographs by Andy Walters)