Watch: Revamped Midland Metro depot opens in Wednesbury

The project saw the Potters Lane complex upgraded as part of the ongoing £128 million overhaul of the line between Wolverhampton and Birmingham.

Sandwell Council leader, Councillor Darren Cooper was joined by the chairman of Centro Councillor John McNicholas at the official opening this week.

Councillor Cooper said: "This is a fantastic addition to the Midland Metro infrastructure and proof of our ambition to achieve an even higher standard of service.

"An awful lot of work that has gone into refurbishing the depot while keeping the Metro in operation and I applaud all those who have made it happen."

Councillor Roger Horton, Centro lead member for rail, said: "Seeing the new depot come to fruition, along with the fact the new tram fleet is coming into service plus the forthcoming opening of the extension in Birmingham city centre, is brilliant.

"It is good news and all part of the regeneration of Birmingham, the Black Country and the wider West Midlands."

The project was commissioned in 2012 by Centro and the work was carried out by contractors Morgan Sindall.

The first phase was completed in September 2013 in time to allow testing and commissioning of the new fleet of Urbos 3 trams.

The new depot contains a testing and commissioning shed, storage facilities for 24 new vehicles and maintenance works, as well as extra office space.

The project also saw upgrade works to some of the electrical substations and the creation of a new substation at West Bromwich.

Neil Barnes, rail director at Morgan Sindall, said: "Our project team is proud to have undertaken the extension of the Midland Metro depot to house the new fleet of extra-capacity trams. The improvement works were undertaken in a fully operational environment without affecting the day to day running of the service.

"We hope that residents and visitors to the West Midlands enjoy using the new trams and feel the benefit from the on-going transport network improvements."

The Midland Metro runs from Wolverhampton to Snow Hill station in Birmingham city centre via Bilston, Wednesbury and West Bromwich.

It currently has 23 stops although a 0.8 mile extension from Snow Hill station to New Street station in the heart of Birmingham city centre is due to open by the end of 2015.