Metro passengers urged to plan ahead as track tie-in works begin next Saturday
Tram passengers who use the Metro to travel to and from Birmingham City Centre are being asked to plan ahead as construction activity to connect newly-laid tracks to the existing tramway are set to get underway from next Saturday (23 March).
Between Saturday 23 March and Tuesday 9 April (inclusive) there will be no tram services between Wednesbury and Edgbaston Village as the Midland Metro Alliance (MMA), working on behalf of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), begins an 18-day programme to construct complex trackwork which will, within a year, allow trams to travel between Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Dudley town centre.
At the same time, and to minimise disruption for Metro users, Sandwell Council will also take the opportunity to complete the demolition and construction of Dudley Street bridge which spans the Metro line near the Dudley Street Guns Village stop.
These works will continue during the night between Sunday and Thursday each week from 11 April until 16 May (inclusive).
To ensure that the team are able to work safely on their activities, there will be no services between Black Lake and Edgbaston Village tram stops from approximately 20:00 on these evenings. There are no changes to services on Fridays and Saturdays during this period.
West Midlands Metro (WMM) are committed to keeping their passengers moving and those who rely upon the Metro for day-to-day travel between Wednesbury and Birmingham will be able to use their tickets and passes on a number of replacement services, including:
National Express (NX) bus services:
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- 47 between Wednesbury bus station and West Bromwich;
- 79 between Wednesbury bus station and West Bromwich*;
- 74 between West Bromwich and Birmingham City Centre*;
- 101 between Handsworth and Colmore Row, Birmingham City Centre;
- 80 between West Bromwich and Five Ways, Birmingham;
- All services between Colmore Row and Edgbaston.
* Please note. the timetable for these services has been enhanced to provide a more frequent service and include a connecting service for the first and last tram times.
- West Midlands Railway train services between Wolverhampton and Birmingham, including Five Ways (Metro season ticket holders only).
Throughout both phases of work, Metro services between Wolverhampton and Wednesbury will be unaffected, ensuring continued provision on this part of the route.
Sophie Allison, managing director of West Midlands Metro, said: "We understand the impact that these essential works will have on our customers and appreciate their patience during this period of disruption.
“We have used this opportunity to plan in some of our infrastructure investment works which will ensure that we are able to continue to provide a safe and secure, reliable and sustainable service for the many people that rely upon us every day. An enhanced timetable will also be in place from Wednesday 10 April, when customers will be able to enjoy a more frequent service throughout the day. We are looking forward to being able to connect even more communities as we take one step closer to being able to deliver a service to Dudley town centre.”
