First city centre tram stop installed on West Midlands Metro extension

The first of the Birmingham’s new tram stops has been installed at Victoria Square as works to extend the West Midlands Metro to Centenary Square enter their final stages.

Five new tram stops will connect passengers to from Grand Central to Victoria Square (Town Hall), Centenary Square, Brindleyplace, Five Ways and Hagley Road, linking the transport system to the Town Hall, HSBC headquarters, Library of Birmingham, International Convention Centre and Symphony Hall.

Passengers will get to experience the first phase of the extension in December 2019, which will see trams travel from Grand Central to Centenary Square. The second phase of the route, which is also anticipated to open for passenger service in 2021 will continue to Edgbaston.

Construction for the new route commenced in June 2017 and is one of four tram extensions in the West Midlands planned, designed and delivered by the Midland Metro Alliance on behalf of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM).

“The expansion of the Metro to Centenary Square will make it easier for those living, working and travelling in Birmingham to get around the city and beyond,” said mayor Andy Street.

“With tram stop furniture being installed, it is very clear that we are entering the final stages of construction for this first phase of the route, and it is exciting to imagine that local people will be using these tram stops later this year.

“But of course, this is only the start of our Metro expansion, with work ongoing to get trams out to Five Ways as part of this same route, and plans in place to extend the line from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill.”

The Birmingham Westside Metro extension follows the metro extension from St Chads to Grand Central, which opened for passenger service in May 2016.

“Once completed, the metro improve transport links in the heart of Birmingham, making journeys faster and more accessible, in turn helping businesses and supporting more jobs,” said West Midlands Metro.

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