Further Midland Metro extension will see ‘trams’ running through Digbeth

PLANS for Midland Metro ‘trams’ to travel through the heart of Birmingham’s Digbeth area have been unveiled.

Agreement has already been reached for a Midland Metro line to link up with the HS2 high-speed rail terminus at Curzon Street in Eastside but new plans to route tramlines into Digbeth to connect with the city’s coach station and the Custard Factory have been announced.

Following an initial public consultation in February a tram route from Bull Street in the city centre to the proposed HS2 high-speed rail station at Curzon Street has already been agreed.

But after transport chiefs secured extra Government money this summer to take the extension on further into Digbeth the public are now being offered a chance to have their say on which of two possible routes the trams should take.

The scheme, which includes construction of the extension and additional new trams, could cost up to £130m depending on which route through Digbeth is chosen.

The plans have been drawn up by Centro, the region’s transport co-ordinator, and Birmingham City Council, and include two options to link New Canal Street with a proposed terminus and multi-storey car park at Adderley Street.

Option one is the shortest at just over 1km and follows Fazeley Street before turning onto Liverpool Street. There would be a stop close to the junction with Great Barr Street and Heath Mill Lane. Trams would then continue along Liverpool Street before turning into Adderley Street.
 
Option two is just under 1.5km long and runs along New Canal Street and Meriden Street before turning left on to High Street Deritend.

It would then run along the centre of the carriageway with a stop close to the junction of Milk Street to serve Digbeth Coach Station and the Custard Factory. It would then turn left into Adderley Street.
 
Depending on the timing of Government approval for a Transport and Works Act Order to allow Centro to construct and operate the route, the extension could be open by 2023, three years ahead of the scheduled opening of HS2 in 2026.

Centro chairman, Cllr John McNicholas, said: “The Eastside extension will provide a direct link to HS2 and its regional, national and international connection for tens of thousands of people in the Black Country and Birmingham who already have access to the Metro.

“It will help cater for the movement of the 12,000 West Midlands people expected to arrive at the HS2 station every hour and provide fast and convenient public transport options for people to the east of the city.

“This project will help shape the future of our region and the views of the public are an important part of the process. It helps us understand the pros and cons of a scheme from their perspective and I would urge people to take this opportunity to have their say.”

The tram extension is a key part of the wider Birmingham Curzon HS2 Master Plan which has been drawn up by the city council and Centro to lay down a blueprint for the redevelopment of 350 acres of land around the HS2 station.

The scheme includes shops, 350,000 sq m of offices, a hotel and 2,000 homes.

Cllr Tahir Ali, Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for development, transport and the economy, said: “The Midland Metro project is a hugely important step forward for Birmingham as it will create new jobs, encourage business growth and help boost the region’s economy.

“This proposed extension would take this vision even further, ensuring that people and businesses across the city are connected as never before.”

Work is currently going on to extend Midland Metro from Birmingham’s Snow Hill Station to New Street Station and plans to extend that further to Centenary Square in Broad Street have already been approved. It is proposed that, eventually, the tramline will carry on down Broad Street to Five Ways while another spur will link up with HS2 in Eastside.