Fares, rail policy and DfT news

27.03.19

WMCA approves £450m funding for ‘game-changing’ Midlands Metro extension

Funding for a “trailblazing” metro rail link linking Dudley with Birmingham and Wolverhampton has been given final approval by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

Work will start later this year on the £450m scheme after clearing the “final hurdle” for the Wednesbury to Brierley rail link.

The project is projected to bring 2,000 new homes a year, 34,000 jobs and almost one million square feet of commercial space to the region.

The Wednesbury to Brierley Hill route extension, which will run largely along a disused rail corridor, was originally expected to cost £370m including £60m added as a contingency but this has since risen to £450m.

Once up and running, there will be 17 new metro stops along 11km of track and will half journey times compared to bus travel.

The £449m in funding has now been officially approved by the combined authority, and Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has started a feasibility study to investigate a further transport link from Brierley Hill to Stourbridge.

IFPDXQ73TVFXTA44NYTXUQ4POQ-600x414

Dudley Council’s leader Qadar Zada said: “There’s no doubt this is a trailblazer project which will have a massive impact on the borough, beyond transportation.

“It will be the catalyst for new homes, commercial opportunities, jobs and much more for this borough.

“It’s taken a long time to get to this point, but the funding makes this scheme a reality and I am very much looking forward to seeing work start in Dudley as soon as possible.”

The route from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill is being planned, designed and delivered by the Midland Metro Alliance on behalf of TfWM and WMCA.

West Midlands mayor Andy Street commented: “The Wednesbury to Brierley Hill line will be a true game-changer, bringing huge benefits to this part of the Black Country and acting as a catalyst for new housing, jobs and leisure opportunities.”

The route extension will improve connectivity to the DY5 business and innovation enterprise zone and link in with the planned multi-million-pound interchange in Dudley.

Roger Lawrence, the leader of Wolverhampton City Council, said it will be the “biggest light rail scheme in the UK” once work starts, and added that he was “delighted” that funding for this project has been approved.

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

related

rail technology magazine tv

more videos >

latest rail news

Major station improvements and electric vehicle charging hubs

09/09/2020Major station improvements and electric vehicle charging hubs

Following the announcement of Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR) programme to develop numerous stations, today (9 Sept) on World Electric Veh... more >
Contract awarded by Network Rail to strengthen bridges

09/09/2020Contract awarded by Network Rail to strengthen bridges

Three contracts have been awarded by Network Rail to carry out strengthening work to three railway bridges across the Wessex route in the South o... more >
New electric train fleet revealed for Birmingham’s Cross-City Line

09/09/2020New electric train fleet revealed for Birmingham’s Cross-City Line

The electric train fleet set to transform travel on Birmingham’s Cross-City Line has been revealed to rail passengers in the West Midlands.... more >

last word

Encouraging youngsters to be safe on the railway

Encouraging youngsters to be safe on the railway

This summer, Arriva Group's CrossCountry and the Scout Association joined to launch a new partnership to promote rail safety among young people. Chris Leech MBE, business community manager at the... more > more last word articles >

'the sleepers' daily blog

On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

29/06/2020On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

Following an independent audit, Sulzer’s Nottingham Service Centre has been accepted as part of the rail industry supplier approval scheme (RISAS). The accreditation reinforces the high-quality standards that are maintained by Sulzer’s network of independent repair facilities across the UK and further afield in its global network. ... more >
read more blog posts from 'the sleeper' >

comment

The challenge of completing Crossrail

05/07/2019The challenge of completing Crossrail

With a new plan now in place to deliver Crossrail, Hedley Ayres, National Audit Office manager, major projects and programmes, takes a look at ho... more >
Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

04/07/2019Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

The move to decarbonise the rail network involves shifting to cleaner modes of traction by 2050. David Clarke, technical director at the Railway ... more >
Sunshine future beckons for South Wales Railways, says 10:10 Climate Action’s Leo Murray

02/07/2019Sunshine future beckons for South Wales Railways, says 10:10 Climate Action’s Leo Murray

Smart electrification is the way to boost clean energy resources, argues Leo Murray, director at 10:10 Climate Action. Contractors are clear... more >
Ambition doesn’t have to be expensive, says Midland Connect's Maria Machancoses

02/07/2019Ambition doesn’t have to be expensive, says Midland Connect's Maria Machancoses

The TCR Midlands conference is only days away and tickets are going fast for the sector event of the year at the Vox Conference Centre in Birming... more >

rail industry focus

View all News

interviews

Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

24/06/2019Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

Andrew Haines, the Chief Executive of Network Rail, has told the Today programme on Radio 4's BBC’s flagship news programme that he wo... more >