One to file under the \u201cnot really a surprise\u201d category \u2013 it has been announced that the West Midlands Metro extension to Wolverhampton Railway Station has been delayed once more with trams now not expected to run until \u201cSpring 2023\u201d. The latest estimate had been Autumn 2022 but due to \u201cunforeseen supply chain constraints\u201d a further delay is now expected \u2013 it had originally been hoped it would open in 2020.<\/p>\n
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Director of the Midland Metro Alliance, Peter Cushing, said: \u201cMuch of this main construction is now completed with efforts moving to systems integration ahead of a period of testing and commissioning, driver familiarisation and timetable simulation. Due to unforeseen supply chain constraints, a key piece of infrastructure which is required to automatically control signals at the junction of Pipers Row and Bilston Street, has taken longer to arrive. Options were explored for West Midlands Metro services to only serve new stops at Pipers Row and Railway Plaza temporarily in order for the scheme to open to passengers in 2022. In recognition of the importance of the St George\u2019s tram stop\u2019s prime location for access to shopping, particularly during the festive period, a decision has been made to open the line in its entirety in spring 2023 when this new equipment is installed and tested.”<\/p>\n
The problem looks like its down to equipment needed to automatically control the signals at the junction of Bilston Street and Pipers Row. This has been delayed which has in turn delayed the completion of all infrastructure on the extension which will run along Piper\u2019s Row and Railway Drive to a new terminus outside the railway station. An intermediate stop will also be provided at the bus station on Piper\u2019s Row.<\/p>\n
Mr Cushing is also quoted in the Wolverhampton Express and Star: \u201cWe are saying spring next year but we are working as hard as possible to get it done as early as possible in that timeframe.” Of course Spring could be as late as June or as early as March so it remains to be seen just when in those three months it could be considered to open.<\/p>\n
The news of the latest delay has been met with anger in Wolverhampton. Cllr Simon Simkins, Deputy Leader of Wolverhampton City Centre, said: \u201chis delay is another catastrophe for the people of Wolverhampton, this whole Metro extension has been one catastrophe after another. The blame has to be laid at the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Mayor Andy Street. The Black Country always loses out, they are getting on with the Birmingham Eastside Metro extension alright but when it comes to Wolverhampton it is one thing after another. The extension was meant to be ready for the Commonwealth Games and then we were told it would be ready for the Christmas shopping period and now to hear it has been delayed again is such a let down. We want people to visit Wolverhampton and the towns along the Metro line using public transport but as it is you cannot blame people for not getting out their cars.”<\/p>\n
Nicky Haigh, project sponsor at Travel for West Midlands, explained more of what has caused the latest delay: \u201cThe Wolverhampton extension has been quite a challenging project we had lockdown, Covid and the station rebuild went on longer than we thought. We have got the track in, and what we are doing now is installing the systems which is the more tricky bit, then we will be testing, then driver training and then the trams will be running. Installing light rail in a city centre is a incredibly difficult and complex to delivery, with highway job you have not got the rail element, and with heavy rail work there is not road element, with light rail there is both and then there is the utilities under the road which is why we could not run the tram down Wolverhampton High Street.”<\/p>\n
The question now is when Spring arrives will we be talking of the service starting or will it be talk of a delay to the Summer or Autumn?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
One to file under the \u201cnot really a surprise\u201d category \u2013 it has been announced that the West Midlands Metro extension to Wolverhampton Railway Station has been delayed once more with trams now not expected to run until \u201cSpring 2023\u201d. … Continue reading