Trams Return to Dudley After 96 Years as Metro Testing Begins in June
Trams will run to Dudley for the first time in 96 years when testing commences on the new £649 million West Midlands Metro line in June. This marks a historic revival of tram services that last operated in the area on March 1, 1930, before being replaced by Midland Red bus routes.
Construction Complete and Testing Underway
A spokesman for Transport for West Midlands confirmed that construction teams have now left the six-mile route, and inspection and testing work has already begun. The first trams are expected to run early in June, ahead of a much-delayed opening date of August 28.
This extension is the biggest addition to the West Midlands tram network since the original Wolverhampton-Birmingham line opened in May 1999. The route will largely follow the course of a former railway line, linking up with the original tram line at a new junction in Wednesbury.
Route Details and Future Plans
The new line will pass through Dudley Port railway station and Tipton before terminating just past Flood Street. It will eventually continue to the Merry Hill shopping centre, although this stretch has faced delays and funding challenges.
Work started on the line in February 2020, with the initial plan to run to Brierley Hill town centre and be completed by the end of 2023. However, delays caused by the coronavirus lockdown pushed the completion date to summer 2024.
Cost Overruns and Delays
In July 2024, it was revealed that costs had ballooned to £550 million, prompting leaders of the West Midlands Combined Authority to mothball the Dudley-Brierley Hill stretch until further funding could be found. By June 2023, the total cost had risen to £649 million, taking it 45 per cent over budget.
The decision to scrap the northern leg of HS2 released funding to eventually extend the line as far as the Merry Hill shopping centre. In July 2024, the opening of the Wednesbury-Dudley line was postponed to autumn 2025.
Frustration and Confirmation of Opening Date
At the start of October, a frustrated Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, expressed doubts that the tram would be open to the public until after Christmas. At the start of this year, an opening date of August 28 was finally confirmed, bringing hope to residents and commuters.
This project represents a significant investment in local transport infrastructure, aiming to improve connectivity and reduce congestion in the West Midlands region.
