Next phase of Metro expansion 'in January'

Phase two of the scheme will link Dudley to the waterfront at the Merry Hill centre

Work on the next section of the West Midlands Metro in Dudley could get underway in January.

The work is an extension of the existing single-line tram network between Birmingham and Wolverhampton, and phase two will link Dudley to the Waterfront at the Merry Hill shopping centre.

Phase one, which connects Dudley to Wednesbury, is expected to be completed by autumn next year.

"We have got the business case going through the approval process," said Anne Shaw, executive director of Transport for West Midlands.

The update was given at Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council's overview and scrutiny committee meeting.

“It is fully funded in terms of what the business case says," she added.

“In terms of ministerial sign-off, we are looking at starting construction in January, all being well."

The original scheme dealt with the whole project in one phase, but increases in costs following the coronavirus pandemic meant it had to be split into three parts to remain affordable.

The third section, from the Waterfront to Brierley Hill town centre, is yet to be worked into a business case for approval to secure funding.