We make another foray out onto what is likely to be the next tram extension to open in the UK – the West Midlands Metro’s Black Country line – to see some more recent progress. This article concentrates on the scene around Horseley Road bridge where its pleasing to be able to see more progress with track, sleepers and work on the stop all underway. Chris Allsop-Buckler is the photographer.
Horseley Road will be the location of the second new stop on phase one of the line, which is due to open as far as Flood Street in Dudley in late 2025, and is on an old railway line alignment with the trackbed at a lower level than the road which means there is a good vantage point from “on-high” to see what is going on.
This is the view towards Wednesbury (and the current Metro Wolverhampton-Birmingham line) where ballast has gone down for the trackbed and a large number of sleepers have been put down for the Wednesbury bound track.
Looking the other way towards Dudley Port and this will be the Horseley Road stop will be located. Progress is now being made on constructing the platforms on each side whilst track is also down here.
Another view of the stop. Access to the stop is also being installed on the right. (All Photographs by Chris Allsop-Buckler, 16th January 2025)