Work has begun on the 295 million GBP West Midlands Metro extension as Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, puts the first spade to the ground.

The extension aims to provide a substantial improvement to connections between the Black Country and the centre of Birmingham, and has been funded by the Government’s 1.05 billion GBP City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement for the West Midlands.

Upon completion, trains will begin to run from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill for the first time, with the first phase of the extension, connecting Wednesbury to Dudley town centre, due to begin operation this Autumn.

The extension is also set to pass through Cinder Bank, Pedmore Road and the Waterfront business park.

As part of development works, the Metro project will also see the reintroduction of Dudley’s Parkhead Viaduct, a 19th century Brunel structure, into the route.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

Residents in and around the Black Country have been chronically underserved by public transport, limiting access to jobs and opportunities and stunting economic growth.

We’re turning the tide on poor transport connections in the West Midlands and delivering a transport system that people can rely on, raising living standards across the region.

The extension of the West Midlands Metro will be transformational and I am delighted to officially mark the start of work today as this Government gets on with supporting local jobs and business while empowering local leaders to deliver our Plan for Change.

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