The West Midlands Metro extension from Wednesbury to Dudley and ultimately Brierley Hill (subject to funding etc.) has a number of major infrastructure projects which need to take place to allow trams to travel on the route and this includes a number of bridges, replacing previous structures which weren’t considered to be of the required standard for the modern tram system. One of these bridges is located in Tipton which has continued to make progress over the autumn 2022 and winter 2022/3 period.
The bridge we are featuring here crosses Sedgley Road and used to carry the South Staffordshire railway line. It became the first major structure to be removed (in 2020) as part of the works to install the new tram line. Since then preparation work has been taking place before a localised road closure in the autumn saw the new deck of the bridge installed over the road.
There remains work to be done either side of the main bridge deck but the basic structure is now in place just waiting for those first trams to start running to Dudley in 2024.
Looking along Sedgley Road towards the new bridge we can see the main structure in place and banking on the left but more work is still needed on the right hand side.
A closer view of the new bridge which both vehicle and pedestrian access now available.
And from the other side. (All Photographs by Ken Jones, 18th February 2023)