Tram services are set to start this weekend on the latest extension of the West Midlands Metro network. Phase two of the £149 million 'Westside' extension will run from outside Library of Birmingham, along Broad Street to Hagley Road in Edgbaston with three new stops.
They are 'Brindleyplace' on the corner of Berkeley Street, 'Five Ways' outside Cineworld and the end of the line next to Morrisons, called 'Edgbaston Village'. The first tram to run along the extended track is due to leave the library at around 7.50am on Sunday.
Phase one of the Westside extension between New Street station and the library opened in 2019.
Sign up to our FREE daily email here and follow our dedicated West Midlands business news LinkedIn page here
This weekend will also see the return of a full service as the route between Wolverhampton city centre and Birmingham has been terminating at Bull Street, therefore not able to take passengers to Grand Central and New Street station, Town Hall and the library. Services were suspended in March after cracks were discovered in the trams but they started to return as trains were repaired but there were not enough vehicles to serve the entire route.
The extension and return of a full route will be a welcome boost to the city, less than two weeks before the start of the Commonwealth Games. The project has been led by Transport for West Midlands, part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, working with construction and design partner Midland Metro Alliance, operator Midland Metro and Birmingham City Council.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: "After an unfortunately interrupted customer experience this year for metro passengers, I'm so pleased for local residents and businesses that we've now reached a turning point and a comprehensive service is returning. Not only are tram services to the library being restored this weekend but we are also unveiling three more stops on and beyond Broad Street which, along with Brindleyplace, sits at the very heart of one of our region's most vibrant business and hospitality districts, attracting locals and visitors alike.
"This news could not have come at a better time as our hotels and venues prepare to offer a warm Brummie welcome to the thousands of people coming to town for the Commonwealth Games this summer."
Sophie Allison, interim managing director of network operator Midland Metro, added: "As we reach this significant milestone for the network, the metro team would like to welcome customers back to the city centre stops while bringing tram services to Edgbaston for the first time. We would also like to thank customers for their patience as they awaited the return of trams to Grand Central and the library following the restoration of services between Wolverhampton and Bull Street a few weeks ago.
"This was made possible with the return to service of a number of trams following successful body panel replacement work. As this programme of work accelerates, even more trams will be re-joining the fleet, enabling us to increase service frequency across the network."
There remains some public realm work to complete following the opening as well as some work to prepare for future public transport infrastructure along Hagley Road. The wider expansion of the West Midlands Metro network includes new routes to Merry Hill, the new HS2 station in Curzon Street and to the south east of the city including Birmingham Airport.
READ NEXT:
