£400 million tramline from Wednesbury to Dudley opening confirmed
Trams will be running to Dudley town centre in time for Christmas, say transport chiefs.
Transport for West Midlands, which manages public transport in the region, confirmed that the long-awaited West Midlands Metro line from Wednesbury to Dudley would be running by the end of the year.
Spokesman Neil Elkes said construction work on the £393 million phase one of the scheme was nearing completion, and the focus would shortly switch to completing the legal and testing requirements.
Mr Elkes said a more definitive timetable for opening the line would be available at the end of next month.
He said: "Pretty much all the work around the town centre is now complete, and that is the bit that takes the time.
"The remaining work is now mainly on the former railway line, which is obviously much easier and less time consuming, as the traffic does not need to be diverted."
The new line will link up to the existing Wolverhampton-Birmingham line at a new junction created at Wednesbury.
The tram depot at Wednesbury is also being extended to cope with the extra capacity.
The line, which was first proposed in the mid-1990s, was due to have in autumn last year.
The new line was due to have opened in autumn 2024, but in July last year a bombshell report revealed it had been hit by cost increases and delays.
Work began on the new line at the start of 2020, but was almost immediately disrupted by the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Rising costs had also led to a £36 million shortfall in the scheme's finances.
Anne Shaw, executive director of Transport for West Midlands, said rising inflation and the continued impact of the coronavirus had placed the scheme under increased financial pressure.
Once the Dudley link has been completed, attention will turn to the next phase, a £292 million link between the town centre, the Waterfront office and leisure complex, and the Merry Hill shopping centre.
But the final stage, which would have terminated in Brierley Hill town centre, hangs in the balance after being shelved pending extra funding.
Work also continues on Dudley's £24 million new bus station, which will also include platforms for trams, which is due to open in spring next year.
Last month a bookshop in the town blamed disruption caused by the work, coupled with rising parking charges, for forcing it to close.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the link between Wednesbury and Dudley town centre - would help the Black Country Living Museum reach a targeted 500,000 visitors a year.
"For the first time communities in Dudley are going to have a direct tram connection into the West Midlands Metro, which will allow people to get directly into Birmingham, into Wolverhampton, that means shorter journey times, better connections better access to jobs, education opportunities," she said.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said close to £1 billion is being invested in the regeneration of Dudley town centre, so it’s only right that visitors are given a suitably impressive experience on arrival.
“This new Interchange, with its sleek, modern design, will provide that quality gateway to the town for bus and Metro passengers alike.
“Dudley is a town on the up and I’m backing that renaissance with new transport links and other investments to drive the economic growth, jobs and affordable homes that local people need and deserve.”
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, added: "The Dudley Interchange is a cornerstone of our town's revitalisation. Through seamless connections between bus and the forthcoming Metro, this interchange will make a monumental difference to those living, working, and visiting Dudley."
