Next Metro phase gathers pace after major Dudley island upgrade complete

Completion of work at Burnt Tree island in Dudley signalled construction of the next phase of the Midland Metro.

A lane of Duncan Edwards Way will be closed from August 10 for several weeks while work on the link from Dudley and Merry Hill Shopping Centre moves ahead.

The lane will reopen in September with a 30mph speed limit while work carries on at the roadside.

Claire Williams, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) director of network resilience, said: “To keep disruption to a minimum we have waited for work at Burnt Tree to wrap up first before starting on Duncan Edwards Way – where lane closures are being carefully planned to work around busy travel times.

“This is all about building a modern transport network to serve residents, businesses and visitors to Dudley town centre for many decades to come.”

Work on the link to Merry Hill has been under way at several locations along the route while phase one of the link into Dudley is nearing completion with passengers expected to be using the line from Wednesbury later this year.

TfWM says the completion of the nine-month project at Burnt Tree will see improvements in traffic flows, more reliable journey times for buses and safer access for pedestrians and cyclists.

Traffic flows will be monitored to make sure signal intervals are set to an optimum.

Councillor Simon Phipps, Dudley cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, said:

“The Metro extension is one of the most important transport investments our borough has seen in a generation. 

“It will provide reliable, sustainable public transport links between Dudley town centre, Merry Hill and destinations across the wider West Midlands.

“As work progresses on this next phase, we are another step closer to unlocking better transport connections, supporting economic growth and creating new opportunities for residents, visitors and businesses.”

Work to complete a cycle lane link to the new Dudley Interchange will also start later this summer and involve a temporary lane closure on Trindle Road.