New pictures released this week show the first sections of track have been laid as part of the pioneering multi-million Very Light Rail development in the borough.

The images show track on the ground in a currently disused tunnel which runs between Castle Gate and Cinder Bank.

The line, which is being laid along a disused rail track, will be two kilometres long when complete and be used as a test track for VLR. A test passenger platform will be located at Cinder Bank at the end of the track. It comes as work is already well under way to construct the VLR National Innovation Centre at the old Dudley Train Station in Castle Hill.

The centre will boast a triple-height engineering hall, research laboratories, conference and seminar rooms and offices for 45 people. There will also be public areas, including exhibition spaces and an auditorium. Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said:

"It is fantastic to see this ground-breaking project moving forward at pace. Seeing the first sections of track laid are a real symbol of the positive developments on the way in our borough.

"This facility and the VLR test track will place Dudley at the forefront nationally of game-changing works in the rail industry. They will benefit the economy as well as the environment.

"We are forging an exciting and bright future for Dudley town centre, with a billion pounds worth of regeneration works including this and the Metro coming very soon. It’s exciting times."

The whole project is expected to be complete in early 2022. It will put the borough at the national forefront of new rail technology looking for cheaper and more efficient alternative to heavy rail and tram transport.