Opening of Wednesbury-Dudley tramline will be delayed until next year, transport chiefs admit
The opening of the long-awaited tram link between Wednesbury and Dudley has been delayed until ‘early next year’, it has been confirmed.
The five-mile tram line was due to have opened last year, but rising costs led to the opening date being put back until autumn this year.
But a spokesman for Transport for West Midlands has now confirmed that no trams will be open to the public until 2026.
He said construction on the tramline would be finished next month, but no passengers would be allowed to use the service until a comprehensive testing and training regime had been completed.
“We are working hard with our partners at Midland Metro Limited to launch the new tram extension as early as possible in 2026,” he said.
“Our top priority over the weeks ahead is a rigorous schedule of driver training, tram and track testing, and final safety checks to make sure everything is safe and ready to welcome passengers on board.
“The new extension will fundamentally transform journeys in the Black Country by cutting congestion, improving connectivity and boosting economic growth by delivering faster, greener travel to thousands more residents and visitors.”
It has also been announced that Anne Shaw, executive director of transport for the West Midlands, will be leaving her post after three years.
Mrs Shaw, who joined the West Midlands Combined Authority eight years ago as director of network resilience, is leaving to take up a new national transport leadership job in Ireland.
Mrs Shaw was appointed an OBE for her role in the planning and delivery of transport during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Prior to joining the combined authority, she spent spent 26 years working for Birmingham Council’s transport department.
Richard Parker, elected mayor for the West Midlands, said: transport had been his priority since taking up the role.
“Working with Anne in her role as executive director, we have begun the process of franchising our bus network, secured £2.4 billion for our regional transport fund, announced the new Metro line to the Sports Quarter and much more.
“Anne has made a significant contribution in the West Midlands and has worked in senior roles in this region for many years, including at Birmingham City Council and most recently with us at TfWM. I would like to thank her for all she has done and I wish her well for the future.”