West Midlands Metro - Brierley Hill Extension.

[melmerby]

Hi all

I have started this topic so that any news, photos etc. of the Brierley Hill extension can be posted here.

I haven't myself yet seen any of the work yet that has been proceeding since 2019 and is currently well under way.

Feel free to post what news/photos you have.

[melmerby]

I have finally been able to see how the work in Dudley is progressing

It's just Castle Hill so far.

 

The tram tracks will cross the North end of the old station site and come up the former station drive to get to Castle Hill

This Google Maps image is from July 2022 https://goo.gl/maps/rRYGu17MZ14wZ9L38

 

What sits on the station site these days:

 

It's the "Black Country Innovation  Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO)" and is researching into light rail projects.

https://bcimo.co.uk/

 

Now the Tram works.

The start of the track as it exits the station drive:

 

 

 

 

Working up Castle Hill:

 

 

Further up:

 

 

 

 

 

Approaching Birmingham Street where the track turns towards the bus station:

 

 

 

The turn into Birmingham Street:

 

(Bus station is behind the trees in the Background)

 

Back towards Castle Hill:

 

Hopefully more to come when they've done a bit more.

 

Edited October 10, 2022 by melmerby

[melmerby]

This piece of news surfaced a few days ago:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-63262072

 

I'm not sure quite what they mean but the extension was supposed to be fully funded and a lot of work along the route is already going on.

A new bridge has been built over Victoria road in Tipton and another is well on the way over the A457, as well as track laying in Dudley and preparations for tracklaying elsewhere.

e.g. Flood St leaving Dudley on the way to Brierley Hill:

https://goo.gl/maps/QkRfpeWzihXCAQNb8

 

Does it mean their just going to down shovels and leave it?

[phil-b259]

On 17/10/2022 at 13:52, melmerby said:

 

I'm not sure quite what they mean but the extension was supposed to be fully funded and a lot of work along the route is already going on.

 

 

It was - but as the council say a lot has happened in terms of inflation since the money was allocated to the project.

 

You don't need to be a mathematician to work out that if you are given a lump sum which does not increase with inflation, a few years down the line that lump sum will buy you a lot less than originally planned.

 

On 17/10/2022 at 13:52, melmerby said:

 

Does it mean their just going to down shovels and leave it?

 

Yes!  (once any works in progress have been made safe).

 

It is hoped that in the years to come inflation will have dropped back and other sources of funding may be found to continue the line as planned.

 

[melmerby]

18 minutes ago, phil-b259 said:

 

 (once any works in progress have been made safe).

 

It is hoped that in the years to come inflation will have dropped back and other sources of funding may be found to continue the line as planned.

 

It's being built through Dudley Bus station (stop) and as far as Flood Street (another stop) until further funds are secured.

https://metroalliance.co.uk/projects/wednesbury-to-brierley-hill-extension/

Google Aug 22:https://goo.gl/maps/7snCYtMBgt5d649s7

 

I don't think much, if any, has been done any further towards Merry Hill.

 

Edit

There's been some vegetation clearance on the verge along Duncan Edwards Way and that was about it 6 months ago.

Edited March 3, 2023 by melmerby

[melmerby]

Yesterday's Budget announcements (amongst other items) included more powers for the West Midlands Combined Authority, including over such things as transport and extra money to complete the Metro to Brierely Hill.

So some good news.