Metro extension project nears completion

A milestone has been reached on the Birmingham Westside Metro extension as the last piece of track was welded into place on Hagley Road.

The achievement, which signals the end of track laying on the project, means passenger services to a new terminus at 54 Hagley Road continues to be on track to start later this year.

The team at Midland Metro Alliance is constructing the route on behalf of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM).

Michael Anderson, projects director for West Midlands Metro, said: “It is incredibly exciting that the team have continued to press ahead whilst at the same time implementing new and unforeseen safety measures to reach this milestone.

“What the team at the Midland Metro Alliance have achieved in the last 12 months despite all the challenges they’ve faced is brilliant, and I know businesses on Broad Street will be thankful that we’ve been able to move forward with the works during lockdown to minimise the impact as they begin to reopen. This is a significant stage in the project as it means that we are ever closer to unlocking the many benefits the extension will bring to every part of our region, whilst other extensions to the East of Birmingham and from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill in the Black Country continue at pace as part of a wider transport plan for the West Midlands.”