Metro Extension to Dudley and Brierley Hill
The Wednesbury to Brierley Hill extension will run largely along an existing, disused heavy rail corridor. The Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension will run largely along an existing disused heavy rail corridor. It plans to branch off the current West Midlands Metro line just east of the Wednesbury Great Western Street Metro stop, before heading through Tipton and Dudley to Brierley Hill. This extension will enhance public transport accessibility across the Black Country as a whole and reduce journey times between strategic centres in the region, particularly Dudley town centre, as well as providing easy access to the Merry Hill shopping centre. Another important reason for the extension of this route is to create a link from this part of the Black Country to the wider region and beyond. The route is 11 kilometres-long and includes 17 stops, including four provisional stops. In addition to this, the Metro extension will provide environmental benefits, such as improved air quality, a reduction in noise and contribute to the region’s #WM2041 net zero carbon target. The Midland Metro Alliance is working on behalf of Transport for West Midlands to extend the Metro. Construction work on the first phase between Wednesbury and Flood Street in Dudley town centre is well under way with track installation expected to be completed in the coming months. Funding for phase 2 to Brierley Hill has now been secured and work will commence following the completion of the first phase.
The Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension will run largely along an existing disused heavy rail corridor. It plans to branch off the current West Midlands Metro line just east of the Wednesbury Great Western Street Metro stop, before heading through Tipton and Dudley to Brierley Hill.
This extension will enhance public transport accessibility across the Black Country as a whole and reduce journey times between strategic centres in the region, particularly Dudley town centre, as well as providing easy access to the Merry Hill shopping centre. Another important reason for the extension of this route is to create a link from this part of the Black Country to HS2 and everywhere in between.
The route is 11 kilometres-long and includes 17 stops, including four provisional stops. In addition to this, the Metro extension will provide environmental benefits, such as improved air quality and a reduction in noise.
The Midland Metro Alliance is working on behalf of Transport for West Midlands to extend the Metro. Preparatory work was completed in 2017 with vegetation clearance and ecological surveys taking place. In 2018, structural surveying work on bridges and structures along the route were carried out. Passenger services expecting to begin to Dudley in 2023.