THREE years after its originally predicted opening date, the 720 metre (787 yards)West Midlands Metro (WMM) tram route extension to Wolverhampton railway station welcomed its first fare-paying passengers on September 17.
Having increased in cost from £35 million to £50 million since work began, its completion was dependent on work being finished on the second phase of a revamp to the railway station itself (which formed part of the wider plan for a rail, bus and tram interchange).
Although that allowed construction activity at the site of the adjacent tram terminus to resume in summer 2021, progress on the extension was hampered by technical complexities and supply chain issues. These included a delay in obtaining equipment to control traffic lights at the junction of Pipers Row and Bilston Street.
Test workings on the new stretch of line, which includes a stop at Pipers Row to connect with the bus station, began on June 12. Following handover toWMM on August 24, driver familiarisation runs were facilitated by terminating public services temporarily atThe Royal.
First service