Light rail and trams

08.06.17

Part of Midland Metro tram line closes for essential works

Tram services on the Midland Metro line between Wolverhampton and Birmingham will be facing major disruption this week as essential track maintenance work is carried out by engineers.

The line from Priestfield to Wolverhampton St. George’s will be closed from Sunday 11 June, and a replacement bus service will run to keep passengers moving.

As well as carrying out maintenance to the tram lines, the road will also be resurfaced to provide an improved environment for both tram and road users once the work is complete by Christmas 2017.

“We recognise that no one welcomes disruption, but these works are essential for the continued running of trams,” said Alejandro Moreno, Midland Metro Alliance Director.

“The Midland Metro Alliance has kept stakeholders informed of the works, and will be continuing to provide updates for the duration of the project.”

The works will be carried out by Midland Metro Alliance, a team of planning design and construction specialists who are responsible for the numerous tram extension projects across the midlands regions over the coming decade on behalf of the WMCA.

Phil Hewitt, programme director for Transport for West Midlands, said it is understandable that tram users will have concerns about the effect these works may have on their day-to-day journeys.

“To help minimise disruption we have worked closely with partners to provide replacement bus services and have customer care staff at key locations to assist passengers,” he added.

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Comments

Jerry Alderson   10/06/2017 at 15:03

Reading the article carefully it does not say that the tram line will be closed for 7.5 months, although it definitely implies it. Last year the Manchester Metrolink line to Eccles was closed for many weeks for track renewals. Why do we have to close tram lines in Britain for so long when ohter countries do not? In Vienna lines are worked on overnight - over several days - and if work is done during the dsay then the rails are propped up and staff welding rails, for example, move out of the way when a tram arrives. Even when they completely remodelled the track at Kagranerplatz in 2013 for a new tram line extension (line 26) it was only closed a few weeks.

Andrew Gwilt   11/06/2017 at 09:21

Must be annoying for people who live in Wolverhampton who do use the Midland Metro trams that will have to make do with bus replacements or use trains or road to get to & from Central Birmingham.

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