Increased costs have been blamed for the decision to split the construction of the West Midlands Metro extension to Brierley Hill into two phases. The news of the re-phasing of the scheme was first unveiled in local media and has now been confirmed on the Midland Metro Alliance website \u2013 although not in a press release but just on the project overview page. It has also been confirmed that trams won\u2019t start running on the extension until 2024 \u2013 a delay from the previous 2023 date.<\/p>\n
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The story was first broken in the Wolverhampton Express and Star after leaders at the West Midlands Combined Authority voted to split the project in two phases at a recent meeting. The costs of the full scheme have increased from \u00a3449 million to \u00a3550 million since the project was approved in 2019 and its said that there is a \u00a3290 million funding shortfall.<\/p>\n
The project will now be delivered in two phases \u2013 probably:<\/p>\n
Whilst the page on the Midland Metro Alliance website gives an opening date of 2024 for the first phase, its less certain for phase two with the phrase \u201cat the earliest opportunity\u201d used.<\/p>\n
The only official public statement on the decision to split the project is also on the Midland Metro Alliance website: \u201cThis phased approach is due to a combination of factors including a rise in construction and energy costs, at the same time as a reduction in the farebox income as a result of the Covid pandemic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phase one is set to cost \u00a3385 million to complete with \u00a3194 million spent so far. Progress seen so far has included the first track laid on Castle Hill in Dudley as well as the replacement of various bridges with more modern structures.<\/p>\n
Presumably the order of more trams \u2013 CAF Urbos 100s \u2013 will also be altered by this project rephasing, although its not yet known how this will be impacted.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Increased costs have been blamed for the decision to split the construction of the West Midlands Metro extension to Brierley Hill into two phases. The news of the re-phasing of the scheme was first unveiled in local media and has … Continue reading