Projects revealed as part of a £1.3bn transport revolution

As the West Midlands Combined Authority announces four projects worth £1.3bn to improve its transport infrastructure, tram services have been suspended yet again following more cracks being found in the bodywork of trams.

Full services had only resumed in February after cracks were discovered in November.

Midland Metro Ltd apologised for the inconvenience.

In a statement, it said: “We want to ensure we have a network that is reliable and safe for everyone and we understand first-hand the impact the suspension of services will have on our customers’ daily lives.

“These precautionary inspections will greatly reduce the number of trams available for operation which is why we have had to take the decision to suspend the service.

“We understand the frustration many people will feel at this latest interruption and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience it may cause.”

The new projects are to be delivered as part of the £1.3bn City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS).

The first announced is a £24m electric vehicle transit station scheme. The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is searching for ten sites across the region that will provide ultra-rapid charging for cars and larger vehicles.

As part of the region’s green transport plan, the implementation of the stations is to encourage greater take-up of electric vehicles, including lorries and commercial vehicles as part of the West Midlands plans to deliver a net-zero carbon region.

As the electric equivalent of petrol and diesel filling stations, the ten stations will feature 80 to 100 ultra-rapid chargers and will be located at strategic points along the region’s major road networks.

Each location will be chosen with a view of putting 90% of the region within easy reach of a top-up.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA Board, said: “These projects are just the start of our £1.3 billion investment to de-carbonise and revolutionise our transport network across the West Midlands.

“We know that many people and businesses would like to switch to electric vehicles but are worried about the availability of chargers – so these 10 electric vehicle transit stations show we are serious about supporting that transition.”

Four schemes were greenlit by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board today (18th March) including the EV station scheme and can go ahead pending final approval from Government.

The remaining three are:

• £43 million to extend the West Midlands Metro depot at Wednesbury to service the region’s growing tram fleet and network – including the extension to Dudley in 2024.
• £17 million to replace and upgrade the Metro power supply on the existing Wolverhampton to Birmingham line for the first time since it opened 22 years ago.
• £56 million to deliver phase two of the Sprint bus priority corridor with more bus lanes and junction upgrades along the full route between Solihull and Walsall. Phase one along the A34 and A45 in Birmingham is nearing completion.

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has been awarded £1.05bn CRSTS funding which, topped up with local funds, will deliver £1.3bn investment across 50 large and small transport projects over the next five years.

Cllr Ian Ward, WMCA portfolio lead for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “We have set out the priorities for investment in transport across our seven local authorities and these are the first of many projects coming forward over the next few months.

“Together we’re working to address the major challenges of traffic congestion and poor air quality and this investment is designed to make alternatives to petrol and diesel vehicles more convenient and affordable, making it easier for people can make that switch and support our net-zero ambitions.”