Tram depot ++ Work has started on the expansion of the West Midlands Metro tram depot at Wednesbury to accommodate a larger fleet. The additional trams are needed because the network is growing. The depot’s capacity will be more than doubled, while maintenance areas and workshops will be modernised and extended. Transport for West Midlands has estimated that 150 jobs will be created at the larger depot.
No trains yet ++ West Midlands Trains has warned that restoring trains rather than rail replacement buses on the Marston Vale line between Bletchley and Bedford is proving difficult. The Vivarail Class 230 units on the line were withdrawn at the beginning of December after Vivarail had appointed administrators, because of fears that maintenance would be a problem. WMT subsidiary London Northwestern has issued a Business Update, which says it has been ‘working hard to explore all options’, but that introducing another class of unit raises issues of compatibility, training and effects on capacity on the West Coast Main Line. Stakeholders are set to be briefed further on 6 February.