At last! Walsall railway bridge reopens after two years
The two-year closure of a busy route into Walsall town centre has been lifted with the completion of delayed railway works.
North Street railway bridge has been shut since October 2014 forcing drivers to use side streets and residential roads.
The bridge, which linked Hatherton and Butts to North Walsall, was part of £30m Network Rail works to electrify 15 miles of railway between Walsall, Hednesford and Rugeley Trent Valley.
The bridge had to be replaced with a higher one to allow new overhead electric cabling to run underneath at a safe distance.
Work was originally due to finish in April last year before being delayed until October. But then in October there was further setbacks and a new opening date of February was announced.
St. Matthew's ward Councillor Mohammed Arif has been in contact with residents and Network Rail throughout the scheme.
He said he was 'pleased' about the reopening of the bridge, adding: "Network Rail had to upgrade the bridge to allow electrification of the line.
"The North Street bridge closure from October 2014 to February 14, 2016, diversions have caused congestion in Butts side streets and adding to traffic on the main ring road. I am pleased for all local residents and businesses that the new bridge has finally reopened to vehicular traffic."
Hatherton resident and business owner of BL Print Group in Portland Street, Brian Lowndes, has expressed his 'great relief' at the reopening of the bridge.
He said: "Business owners, customers and his employees had to take long detours to reach their destination and it is a great relief to have it opened to vehicular traffic again. The project has taken much longer than originally estimated.
"I want to thank Councillor Mohammed Arif and Walsall Council for their help in working with Network rail."
Other Walsall bridges which were part of the scheme, Park Street and Central Drive, remain closed with completion dates as yet unknown.
A new bridge built in Broad Lane, Essington, as part of the project, was also also hit by delays in 2014.
The new wiring as part of the £30m project will allow trains to reach speeds of up to 70mph, compared to the current 45mph.
The overall electrification project between Walsall and Rugeley Trent Valley is earmarked for completion by the end of 2017.
