To accommodate an increase in the number of trams running on the West Midlands Metro, its depot at Wednesbury is being increased in size.

The network requires more trams to serve the new Westside extensions in Birmingham that opened last summer, an extension in Wolverhampton city centre that is nearing completion, and a new line to Dudley town centre that is currently under construction.

In 2019 the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) ordered 21 new CAF Urbos 3 trams, which doubled the size of the fleet. Eleven have already been delivered, and the rest are due to arrive later this year before the extension between Wednesbury and Dudley is completed in 2024.

Extra capacity is needed to store and maintain these trams and regional transport bosses have approved a £43 million redevelopment of its depot in Potters Lane in Wednesbury which will more than double its capacity and provide space to manoeuvre around the yard.

Construction of the depot extensions is now underway, and space has already been cleared to expand the yard and construct track to provide a direct link to the new Dudley extension. Included in the works are extensions and improvements to the workshop and maintenance facilities, a tram wash, a new operations centre, and staff facilities to accommodate the increasing size of the workforce. It is estimated that expansion of the network and depot will create 150 new jobs.

Development is being led by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority which owns the Metro system, and construction is being carried out by the Midland Metro Alliance, which is responsible for delivering all West Midlands Metro infrastructure. Funding is being provided by the City Region Sustainable Funding Settlement that was awarded to the West Midlands last year.

Next to the depot, work is well advanced on constructing a junction to link the existing line between Birmingham and Wolverhampton with the new line to Dudley town centre, including constructing an incline so the new track can join the existing raised line next to the depot. The new Dudley line includes nine stops and is scheduled to open next year, and there are plans to eventually extend the line to Brierley Hill.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and West Midlands Combined Authority Chair, said: “We need more room to accommodate even more trams so this depot extension is very welcome news.

“Construction crews are hard at work right across our region expanding our Metro network in Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Sandwell, and Dudley and this depot extension helps us to meet the consequent uptick in demand that will result from the new extended network.

“Once complete, even more local residents and businesses – especially those in Dudley – will be able to benefit from a rapid, convenient and affordable alternative to the car for their journeys around the West Midlands.”
Inside the Metro depot workshop.

Cllr Peter Hughes, representative for Wednesbury North and cabinet member for regeneration and growth with Sandwell Council, said: “The current and future development of the West Midlands Metro network is playing an integral role to the regeneration of Sandwell, and its six towns, providing increased access for workers, shoppers, and visitors to the region.

“With Wednesbury as the major hub to this network, it is pleasing to see the significant investment in the Metro Depot, and I am particularly pleased that the investment will create new employment opportunities. The first phase of the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill line is now taking shape, with both the Wolverhampton and Birmingham extensions coming to fruition, and providing more opportunities for people to leave their car at home and help reduce carbon emissions.”

Cllr Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley council, said: “The expansion of the depot will allow us to store a bigger fleet of trams, and in turn offer more frequent services coming in and out of Dudley and Brierley Hill when the extension is completed.

“It will allow borough residents to easily get to Birmingham, Sandwell and Wolverhampton. Equally importantly, it will make it much more easier for people from outside the borough to get to us and to see what we have to offer, with the economic benefits that will bring.

“I have always said it – the Metro extension is a real game changer for our borough. It will create more opportunities for people in terms of jobs, training and connectivity and today marks another important step in the right direction for the project.”

Cllr Liz Clements, cabinet member for transport at Birmingham City Council, said: “This investment is needed because the Metro network is growing and will have benefits across the West Midlands.

“We are already benefiting from that investment through the new extension to Edgbaston Village which, having opened last year, is already proving popular with those travelling to and from Broad Street and Brindleyplace – encouraging even more people to leave their cars at home when visiting Birmingham.”

Cllr Carol Hyatt, City of Wolverhampton Council representative on the West Midlands Combined Authority’s transport delivery committee, said: “Evidence tells us that a transport hub results in more people being able to use public transport more easily. I am proud that in Wolverhampton we have invested in our public transport creating a transport hub where train, bus and soon Metro will all be available in the same place so people can go from one to the other with ease.

“It’s great to see the work going on behind the scenes at this new depot to support Metro services with space for even more trams and better facilities for staff to keep the network moving.”