Work on the £295 million project to extend the West Midlands Metro tram network in the Black Country is starting today, Thursday, February 6th.

The start of the work was marked by a visit of Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, to the West Midlands.

Funding for the project comes from the government’s £1.05bn City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement for the West Midlands, which will provide drastically better connections for communities that are currently underserved.

The extension will provide a tram service from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill for the first time, resulting in faster and more reliable transport connections between Dudley and Brierley Hill to the city centre.

There will also be quicker journey times, with savings of up to 30% compared to taking the bus, and greater reliability at peak times.

The first phase of the extension, which will run from Wednesbury to Dudley town centre, is scheduled to open later this year.

When the extension is complete, local businesses will receive a major boost as it will pass through Cinder Bank, Pedmore Road, and the Waterfront business park.

During the Transport Secretary’s visit, she will meet West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and be shown around the iconic 19th-century Parkhead Viaduct in Dudley that was built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel structure that is being brought back into use as part of the West Midlands Metro extension.

Because poor local transport is a factor affecting local productivity, the Government’s Growth Mission is central to boosting local transport infrastructure.

The Devolution White Paper will also allow local leaders to deliver better transport for their communities. Together, they are part of the Government’s Plan for Change which aims to support jobs, boost local business, and deliver growth in throughout the UK.

To accommodate the extra trams required as part of the extension the Metro’s depot at Wednesbury is being extended.

“Good transport links are essential – helping people get to school, work, local shops and to enjoy a day out. Extending the metro further into the Black Country opens up routes for job opportunities, skills and growth, ensuring fast, reliable journeys for everyone across the West Midlands. Now that I have secured the funding from Government and we’ve got the approvals needed, the work can start to make this long-awaited project a reality. The restoration of this viaduct shows how we can protect our region’s industrial heritage while developing modern infrastructure. With the first phase nearly complete, the Metro is already creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and attracting investment to the area, and soon it will take those same opportunities into Dudley and Merry Hill.”

Richard Parker, the Mayor of the West Midlands