The forgotten UK town on the brink of transformation thanks to new £654 m tram line

On Thursday 14 October 1999, a statue commemorating the Dudley born footballer Duncan Edwards was unveiled by his mother, Mrs. Sarah Edwards and his former Manchester United and England colleague Sir Bobby Charlton.

Dudley Council had commissioned the statue, which was erected in Dudley's Market Place, as a tribute to the footballing legend who died in the Munich Air Disaster of 1958 and who is fondly remembered as one of ‘Busby’s Babes’.

Described by Terry Venables as "a real-life Roy of the Rovers” Edwards is perhaps the town's most famous former resident.

Manchester United fans still make the pilgrimage to the statue in the quiet little West Midlands town but getting there by public transport has never been that easy. Until now...

A survey last year found Dudley to be the grumpiest town in the West Midlands, and the fourth unhappiest place in the UK, and it is true the town is crying out for some much needed regeneration.

Now, the West Midlands Metro tram extension will finally connect Dudley and regenerate the whole Black Country, according to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.

The second phase will run from Dudley town centre to the Merry Hill shopping centre via the Waterfront office park. The first section - between Wednesbury and Dudley town centre - is due to open in the Autumn.

Work to extend the West Midlands Metro further into the Black Country, linking even more communities to rapid and reliable tram services, is set to begin within weeks following confirmation of Government funding.

Phase 1 of the project, Wednesbury to Dudley is estimated to cost £393.5 million. Phase 2a: Dudley to Waterfront Business Park will cost £227.8 million, Phase 2b: Waterfront Business Park to Merry Hill will £33.6 million, making a grand total of £654.9 million

Preparations are already under way for construction of the second phase of the Black Country extension from Flood Street in Dudley town centre to Merry Hill Shopping Centre – with stops at Cinder Bank, Pedmore Road and the Waterfront Business Park. The first phase, between Wednesbury and Dudley town centre, is due to be open to passengers later this year.

Construction work will ramp up across Dudley borough this spring, starting along Duncan Edwards Way and the Merry Hill area.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and Anne Shaw, chief executive of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) said: “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 the 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.”

The extension is being designed and built by the Midland Metro Alliance (MMA) under contract from TfWM, which part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

Crucial works for the second part of the route have already been carried out including the innovative restoration of the historic Parkhead Viaduct.

The structure, originally designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in the 19^th century, has been internally strengthened and futureproofed for a modern tramway, while the original exterior brickwork has been carefully restored and protected. Reuse of this historic structure has also reduced the project’s carbon footprint.

The project is being funded from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) awarded by the Department for Transport to the WMCA for the delivery of key transport infrastructure projects.

Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander MP 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.

"This investment in Dudley is helping support jobs, boosting local business and delivering growth.

The Midland Metro Alliance said: "The 11km extension will branch off the current West Midlands Metro line just east of the Wednesbury Great Western Street Metro stop, before heading through Tipton and Dudley on its way to Brierley Hill.

"The extension will be delivered in two phases with the first to Dudley town centre expected to open for passenger services in autumn 2025. The second phase will see the route further extended to Merry Hill, in Brierley Hill, with work expected to ramp-up for in 2025, concurrent with finishing works for the first phase. There are plans for up to 14 trams stops along the route."