Chance to see tunnel being put in place

A special viewing gallery will be set up to allow people to see a tunnel being put into place as part of a £22 million underpass scheme in Tipton.

During the Easter holiday break a specially constructed tunnel will be put into place in Owen Street.

And while the work is being carried out members of the public can view the massive operation being carried out. The work forms part of the two-year scheme which started last year to build a road tunnel under the West Coast Mainline rail link between London Euston and Wolverhampton.

It is being carried out by BAM Nuttall and will be overseen by Network Rail.

Once the scheme is finished it hopes to stop years of misery for motorists who have been stuck at the level crossing. Previously the gates were closed to traffic for 45 minutes in every hour to allow the intercity trains to pass. With the tunnel in place traffic will be able to travel freely along Owen Street without stopping for trains.

In order for the tunnel to be put in place the rail line is being closed over Easter as it is one of the quietest times of the year for rail travel. The line will be shut between 12.30am on Good Friday and will reopen on Tuesday, April 14. Jo Kaye, Network Rail route director, said: "Once complete this will mean better journeys for both rail and road users."

Long distance train services will be diverted along the Grand Junction Line and a special bus service will also be in operation to cover local services between Wolverhampton and Birmingham.

The tunnel will be jacked into position during a 101-hour possession of the rail line.

To book a place in the viewing gallery people can email Steve Powner on Stephen.Powner@mottmac.com.

Sandwell's transport chief Councillor Bob Badham, said: "The underpass will have a massive impact in the area."