Metro services expected to resume at the end of May

West Midlands Metro services are expected to resume at the end of next month its operator said.

Further cracks were found in the bodywork of the trams last month after the service only just resumed in February.

In its latest update, Midlands Metro Ltd said it had completed a detailed assessment of the whole fleet.

CAF, the manufacturer said it will replace the faulty panels, rather than repair them, in order to ensure the service will be reliable going forward.

CAF said: “We have also brought in additional engineers from across the UK and overseas that have the necessary skills to carry out these specialist panel replacements.

“Our new tram fleet continues to be tested and will be running through the network to ensure they are ready for when the service recommences.”

“Once again, we would like to apologise for the ongoing inconvenience and share the frustration of our customers at this suspension in services.”

Extra bus services are being brought in for football fans attending the West Bromwich Albion v Stoke City match at the Hawthorns on Saturday.

£43m has been invested 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.

And £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.