MarkWi72
Member
- Joined
- 13 Nov 2017
- Messages
- 243
I believe some remedial work (in clearing the old line of vegetation) has begun on the Wednesbury-Merry Hill branch. This is the old 'low level' line through Golds Hill, Great Bridge, Dudley Port Low Level and Dudley. Does anyone have any more information on this? It has taken its time to come about - the line was closed in 1991 and in the early 90s, the Metro had been agreed in principle. I think talks started back in the early 80s - in the days of Phil Bateman.
I suppose the Brum Centre work took long enough for a quite small section.
I also know that there re plans for another line through East Birmingham into parts of Solihull (HS2 Hub/Airport). THis will go from Curzon Street out through Washwood Heath, Hodge Hill, Castle Bromwich, Kingshurst, Chelmsley Wood and onto the area of the Hub (near the A452/M42/M6).
Having travelled on light rail in the North East, plus a month ago in Manchester, I was impressed with these areas - and am flummoxed why such a big conurbation such as the West Midlands has struggled with light rail. Especially as Manchester and Nottingham has seen some serious development in recent years. And in relatively small provincial towns on the Continent (I've been to Valenciennes in France which had a small system), the UK is far behind overall.
Thoughts, knowledge anyone? Is it insular Councils and Gov policy pushing car ownership above all?
I suppose the Brum Centre work took long enough for a quite small section.
I also know that there re plans for another line through East Birmingham into parts of Solihull (HS2 Hub/Airport). THis will go from Curzon Street out through Washwood Heath, Hodge Hill, Castle Bromwich, Kingshurst, Chelmsley Wood and onto the area of the Hub (near the A452/M42/M6).
Having travelled on light rail in the North East, plus a month ago in Manchester, I was impressed with these areas - and am flummoxed why such a big conurbation such as the West Midlands has struggled with light rail. Especially as Manchester and Nottingham has seen some serious development in recent years. And in relatively small provincial towns on the Continent (I've been to Valenciennes in France which had a small system), the UK is far behind overall.
Thoughts, knowledge anyone? Is it insular Councils and Gov policy pushing car ownership above all?