Dudley residents and businesses advised to plan ahead as first Metro works to begin on Castle Hill

Castle Hill in Dudley will see a two-way lane restriction from 24 February as enabling works for the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension get underway in Dudley town centre.

From Monday 24 February, during weekdays, contractors working on behalf of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), will begin phased works for up to five weeks to remove the central reservation so traffic will still be able to travel in both directions on Castle Hill when further works to upgrade and divert existing utilities begin on the busy thoroughfare shortly after.

Those living, working or visiting Dudley town centre are being asked to leave more time for their journeys while bus passengers are advised that bus lanes on Castle Hill will be suspended for the duration of the work and that they should check the West Midlands Network website before they travel.

Dudley Council will shortly be writing to residents, businesses, schools and colleges across the town to provide details of this, and other works, along with tips on how they can avoid disruption by using travel planning information.

Cllr Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said: “There is little doubt for those living, working or visiting Dudley that the Metro route will make a massive difference to the town. It will help deliver new homes, jobs and so much more for the borough, making it even easier to visit our great tourist attractions. The construction which is about to get underway on this and other regeneration projects across the borough, however, will cause unavoidable disruption which is why I’ve written to homes and businesses in the surrounding area with further details of our Regenerating Dudley programme and to remind all that our fantastic attractions remain open as usual throughout the works.”

Cllr Jackie Taylor, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for sustainable transport, said: “We are very excited that works are about start on the new Metro extension from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill. This extension will bring much-needed investment and regeneration to Sandwell and the surrounding areas and make it easier for people to travel around the region using a sustainable mode of transport. There will be some unavoidable disruption now and as so many of us travel across boroughs, we urge our residents and business owners to heed travel advice from our colleagues.”

Passenger services are expected to start in 2023.

Anne Shaw, director of network resilience, at TfWM said: “One of our key priorities is making sure travel is as easy as possible whilst construction takes place. If you drive please consider leaving the car at home to reduce congestion in the town centre while this essential work takes place. We have been working closely with Dudley Council and the Midland Metro Alliance to help minimise disruption to the travelling public and keep Dudley moving as the Metro development progresses.”

People can find out more about these Metro works and others at two public engagement events which are being held across Dudley later in the month:

Saturday 22 February
9:30am – 3pm
TfWM Exhibition Bus, Dudley Town Centre Markets

Saturday 29 February
10am – 3pm
ASDA, Pearson Street, Brierley Hill