Midland Metro new routes

[Batman]

Since a thread already exists for suggestions for new routes for the Manchester metrolink, I think it's only right that one exists for the Midland Metro.

Be as imaginative or a realistic as you like when making suggestions.
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I'd like to start by suggesting building the Wolverhampton loop. That would involve closing the current St Georges terminus and replacing it was a clockwise loop and new stops at Market Street and Wolverhampton Interchange. Would also require changes to road layouts and traffic priorities in Wolverhampton city centre. Funds could be allocated at the 2015 spending review.

Secondly I'd suggest the construction of line 2 from Wolverhapton to Walsall via Wednesfield and Willenhall. Would run partly on street and mainly on a disused rail line. Would provide a metrolink to New Cross hospital, the readswood retail park (where a park and ride could also be built) and a park and ride on the Wednesfied by pass. It would also mean that the Walsall - Wolverhampton rail service would not need to be re-introduced.

Would require the reconstruction of a viaduct in the Heath Town area, the demolition of some shops in Walsall town centre, a new bridge of the M6 and substantial road alterations in the Wednesfield area and Walsall ton centre.

The western terminus would be on the Wolverhampton loop and the eastern terminus would be on the current site of TJ Hughes in Walsall town centre.

Funds could be allocated in the 2020 spending review.

 

[Butts]

Since a thread already exists for suggestions for new routes for the Manchester metrolink, I think it's only right that one exists for the Midland Metro.

Be as imaginative or a realistic as you like when making suggestions.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I'd like to start by suggesting building the Wolverhampton loop. That would involve closing the current St Georges terminus and replacing it was a clockwise loop and new stops at Market Street and Wolverhampton Interchange. Would also require changes to road layouts and traffic priorities in Wolverhampton city centre. Funds could be allocated at the 2015 spending review.

Secondly I'd suggest the construction of line 2 from Wolverhapton to Walsall via Wednesfield and Willenhall. Would run partly on street and mainly on a disused rail line. Would provide a metrolink to New Cross hospital, the readswood retail park (where a park and ride could also be built) and a park and ride on the Wednesfied by pass. It would also mean that the Walsall - Wolverhampton rail service would not need to be re-introduced.

Would require the reconstruction of a viaduct in the Heath Town area, the demolition of some shops in Walsall town centre, a new bridge of the M6 and substantial road alterations in the Wednesfield area and Walsall ton centre.

The western terminus would be on the Wolverhampton loop and the eastern terminus would be on the current site of TJ Hughes in Walsall town centre.

Funds could be allocated in the 2020 spending review.

Could do with a link to possibly Dudley (Black Country Museum & Zoo) and Merry Hill Centre for shopping.

 

[Class172]

DO NOT make a new line using the old South Staffs line - just reinstate heavy rail services; it has far more benefits but I won't go into them now.

 

[gg1]

DO NOT make a new line using the old South Staffs line - just reinstate heavy rail services; it has far more benefits but I won't go into them now.

The problem with a heavy rail link is you're essentially tied to using the old trackbed which would result in a poorly sited Dudley station and no useful station for Merry Hill (the old line doesn't go closer than a mile to there). With light rail you could have street running through the centre of Dudley and combination of street running (on the southern approach) and an elevated line (on the northern approach and within the centre itself) to serve Merry Hill.

 

[Smethwickian]

The problem with a heavy rail link is you're essentially tied to using the old trackbed which would result in a poorly sited Dudley station and no useful station for Merry Hill (the old line doesn't go closer than a mile to there). With light rail you could have street running through the centre of Dudley and combination of street running (on the southern approach) and an elevated line (on the northern approach and within the centre itself) to serve Merry Hill.

And if eventually extended further south to Stourbridge could serve both the town centre and Junction, the final section taking over the branch currently operated with People Movers.

 

[Class172]

Yes but if opened to normal rail services, it could allow services between Walsall and Worcester (and eventually Lichfield). The route would also provide a useful freight and diversionary route for trains wishing to avoid Birmingham.

The best way would be to use tram-trains; that way it offers far greater flexibility and still means that normal trains can use it as well as allowing trams to run directly into streets and town centres.

 

[sprinterguy]

The best way would be to use tram-trains; that way it offers far greater flexibility and still means that normal trains can use it as well as allowing trams to run directly into streets and town centres.

It'd be completely incompatible with Midland Metro Line 1 though, as if you were to also use the line as a strategic freight route, which is one of the options currently being discussed for the lines' future, and also run tram-trains beyond the limit of the Walsall-Stourbridge route, then you would need high level platforms and matching stock, in contrast to Midland Metros' low level arrangement. You would have two completely isolated rapid transit systems bisecting the West Midlands.

I much prefer an entirely light rail option for reinstating the route, as it would be able to best serve the areas of greatest demand that lie away from the course of the heavy rail alignment, would be compatible with Midland Metro line 1, and could continue to Stourbridge as smethwickian said to replace the Stourbridge shuttle with higher capacity rolling stock.

 

[martinsh]

It'd be completely incompatible with Midland Metro Line 1 though, as if you were to also use the line as a strategic freight route, which is one of the options currently being discussed for the lines' future, and also run tram-trains beyond the limit of the Walsall-Stourbridge route, then you would need high level platforms and matching stock, in contrast to Midland Metros' low level arrangement. You would have two completely isolated rapid transit systems bisecting the West Midlands.

I don't understand the reasoning here. Why would using the line as a strategic freight route require high level platforms & stock ?

Also, the trial use of tram-trains in the UK in Sheffield is to link the Supertram (low level platforms) with Rotherham / Parkgate (high level platforms), so presumably there is some sort of solution to this.

My suggestion would be to link the southern end of this route into line 1, as currently links form Dudley (& weest of) into Birmingham are very poor.

 

[MK Tom]

What about something running along the A47 towards Water Orton? There's currently no local heavy rail service along that axis...

 

[150001]

How about a light rail down Coventry road to Solihull. Also, I agree with 172, it should be heavy rail and just have both platforms like in Netherlands for tram trains.

 

[Batman]

I'd be sceptical about re-opening the South Staffs line at all.

I doubt there is much demand for rail along that axis, as it goes nowhere near Birmingham. Improvements to local bus services should be enough.

And I can't see how the joint freight/metro option would work.

Firstly, the freight line would need to be single track between Dudley and Wednesbury, could be a potential bottle-neck on the main North East - South West freight route.

Secondly, I can't see how a 6 minute frequency could work on a single track metro line.

A third track would need to be added at considerable cost between Wednesbury and Great Bridge at considerable cost, the bridge where the line passes under the Black County Spine Road would need to be re-built. A housing development has been built on the site of the intended park and ride at Great Bridge, and this goes right up to the line side fence, making an island platform impossible and it would require major engineering work to be done to build an island platform at Dudley Port.

So if there are three stops on the single track section between Dudley and Great Bridge at Birmingham New Road, Dudley Port and Horseley Road, each with a passing loop, would it be possible for a metro service with a six minute frequency to operate?

And it dred to think what the knock-on effects will be in the event of delays.

Overall, I think the long proposed Wednesbury to Merry Hill line is not needed and not worth it.

The South Staffs line should be a double track freight only line, all the way from Stourbridge to Walsall.

 

[martinsh]

I'd be sceptical about re-opening the South Staffs line at all.

I doubt there is much demand for rail along that axis, as it goes nowhere near Birmingham. Improvements to local bus services should be enough.

And I can't see how the joint freight/metro option would work.

Firstly, the freight line would need to be single track between Dudley and Wednesbury, could be a potential bottle-neck on the main North East - South West freight route.

Secondly, I can't see how a 6 minute frequency could work on a single track metro line.

A third track would need to be added at considerable cost between Wednesbury and Great Bridge at considerable cost, the bridge where the line passes under the Black County Spine Road would need to be re-built. A housing development has been built on the site of the intended park and ride at Great Bridge, and this goes right up to the line side fence, making an island platform impossible and it would require major engineering work to be done to build an island platform at Dudley Port.

So if there are three stops on the single track section between Dudley and Great Bridge at Birmingham New Road, Dudley Port and Horseley Road, each with a passing loop, would it be possible for a metro service with a six minute frequency to operate?

And it dred to think what the knock-on effects will be in the event of delays.

Overall, I think the long proposed Wednesbury to Merry Hill line is not needed and not worth it.

The South Staffs line should be a double track freight only line, all the way from Stourbridge to Walsall.

You seem to have disregarded the tram/train option without even mentioning it ?

 

[sprinterguy]

I don't understand the reasoning here. Why would using the line as a strategic freight route require high level platforms & stock ?

Also, the trial use of tram-trains in the UK in Sheffield is to link the Supertram (low level platforms) with Rotherham / Parkgate (high level platforms), so presumably there is some sort of solution to this.

I assumed that there would be some good reasons against having passengers at ground level and able to walk about the tracks at will when there were heavy freight trains using the route (Running at 30mph plus if there were to be any benefit to routing them that way). I envisage it being a bit of a health and safety nightmare.

I'll be interested to see what the Sheffield tram-trains' solution to the mix of high and low platforms will be.

 

[Tomonthetrain]

DO NOT make a new line using the old South Staffs line - just reinstate heavy rail services; it has far more benefits but I won't go into them now.

Agreed
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

DO NOT make a new line using the old South Staffs line - just reinstate heavy rail services; it has far more benefits but I won't go into them now.

The problem with a heavy rail link is you're essentially tied to using the old trackbed which would result in a poorly sited Dudley station and no useful station for Merry Hill (the old line doesn't go closer than a mile to there). With light rail you could have street running through the centre of Dudley and combination of street running (on the southern approach) and an elevated line (on the northern approach and within the centre itself) to serve Merry Hill.

Bung a station by the round oak, rebuild a monorail/insert a frequent bus service to Merry Hill bish bash bosh jobs a good un

 

[Tomonthetrain]

Thinking about it the monorail line still has the track bed along parts so why not run a rail branch from "Round Oak" to "Merry Hill Central"?