Dudley Metro and light rail wall to cost more than expected
A major project bringing together the Midland Metro extension and light rail centre development in Dudley will cost half a million pounds more than expected, it has been revealed.
A 250-metre concrete retaining wall is due to be built next to Tipton Road but will now cost £4.33m rather than the initial £3.8m estimate following a 'review' of construction costs.
Dudley Council will be applying for funding to pay for the scheme.
Bosses say work on the wall, which will divide the Midland Metro and light rail - two huge developments planned for Dudley in the next decade - must start as soon as possible to avoid the project being delayed.
Design fees for the wall have also increased from £195,000 to £294,000 - though it is expected this cost will also be met through West Midlands Combined Authority funding.
However, the council has agreed to spend the extra £100,000 before knowing if the funding bid will be successful. Bosses said they believe the risk of not getting the money back is 'deemed to be low'.
A council report said: "The juxtaposition of the Very Light Rail (VLR) and Metro requires the design and construction of a 250m contiguous reinforced concrete piled 'shared retaining wall' to support the delivery of the Metro which would be routed across the western edge of the proposed Very Light Rail site, adjacent to Tipton Road and through to Station Drive.
"This needs to be progressed now in order to support delivery of the VLR project described in the previous paragraph and facilitate the Metro in due course; it is not practicable to wait for final approval of the Metro before proceeding."
Dudley Council leader Patrick Harley said: “The construction of this retaining wall is critical in delivering both the Very Light Rail and Metro extension projects.
“This will be the first time we have applied for funding for this from the West Midlands Combined Authority. The forecast cost reported to cabinet in June was £3.8m. However, following a review of estimated costs with the Midland Metro Alliance, they have suggested to us that construction costs have increased.
“There will be no cost to the local authority. The Very Light Rail project will bring a world-class research and development centre to the Black Country, while the Metro expansion will be a massive boost to Dudley and link us up with our neighbours.
“We need to crack on with both, and getting this wall built will be an important first step.”
The £27m Very Light Rail has been hailed as a world-class research centre design and construction of lightweight rail vehicles, with development laboratories and facilities for general manufacturing, conferences, teaching and training and further infrastructure.
The Midland Metro is to be extended into Dudley from Wednesbury - connecting the town to Wolverhampton and Birmingham.
