The West Midlands Metro is set for further expansion from the Flood Street in Dudley town centre to Brierley Hill, including several tram bridge replacements.
The West Midlands Metro is set for further expansion from the Flood Street in Dudley town centre to the Merry Hill Shopping Centre in Brierley Hill, New Civil Engineer reports. The £261m scheme has been granted government funding and project approval from the Department of Transport, and was officially confirmed in the Autumn Budget.
The extension will be 11km in total, and it will include up to 14 tram stops along the route. Preparation and construction of the first phase of the scheme to Dudley town centre began in 2020, and this route is scheduled to open in autumn 2025. Several aged railway bridges have been removed and replaced with modern purpose-built structures.
Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair Richard Parker said: “Extending the Black Country Metro line further will make a huge difference to more people in Dudley giving them access to reliable and affordable transport while also delivering a major boost to businesses at Merry Hill.”
“That’s why the government has given its support, showing confidence in our region, and means we will have spades in the ground within weeks, allowing people to experience the benefits of Metro sooner. And we will work closely with Dudley Council on their growth plans to help build the funding package and business case for the next phase of this exciting project.”
The scheme will attract new investment to the Sandwell and Dudley area, and create a link to HS2, which will drive further jobs and economic growth.