Future Metro services boosted by new combined authority alliance
THE £1.2bn construction of future tram routes across the West Midlands has been boosted by the launch of a new partnership.
The Midland Metro Alliance establishes a team of planning, design and construction specialists building four new tram extensions over the coming decade. The alliance is working on behalf of the newly formed West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
The alliance comprises the WMCA, which owns the Midland Metro, rail construction specialist Colas Rail – with Colas’ partners Colas Ltd, Barhale, Thomas Vale, and Auctus Management Group, plus a consortium of design experts from Egis, Tony Gee and Pell Frischmann.
Jan Britton, chief operating officer of the WMCA, said: “The idea that we work together as a team – sharing risk, sharing the rewards, sharing the problem – is deeply important and very impressive.
“I think we couldn’t have a better starting point for the work of the combined authority.”
Laura Shoaf, managing director of Transport for West Midlands, the delivery arm of the WMCA, said: “The expansion of Midland Metro is a long-term investment programme and absolutely key to the WMCA’s vision for strategic growth and regeneration.
“The devolution deal the WMCA has signed will help secure £4.4bn especially for our growth strategy to make the most of HS2, and as part of that the alliance has a critical role to play to deliver £1.2bn of schemes over the next decade.
“We now have the funding in place to really push on expanding the Midland Metro and it is the perfect time for us to introduce this new way of working.”
Richard Fostier, chief executive officer for Colas Rail, said: “It is a very exciting moment for all of us to have this fantastic opportunity to bring together our alliance skills and our global capabilities and experience for the benefit of the West Midlands.”
The alliance is a shift from the traditional style of delivering major infrastructure, where contractors and designers are typically appointed on a project by project basis.
The agreement will see all parties in the alliance share the risks and rewards between them and will include a significant focus on how the partners work together and with stakeholders, businesses and the community.
Following its extension to New Street Station, work has now begun on extending the Metro to Centenary Square, with services expected to start running in 2019.
Funding has also been earmarked for the line to go further along Broad Street, past Five Ways and on to Edgbaston by 2021.
The route of an extension through Digbeth in Birmingham has also been chosen, running from Bull Street via Albert Street and on to the forthcoming HS2 station at Curzon Street.
From there it would go along New Canal Street and Meriden Street into High Street Deritend, stopping at Digbeth Coach Station and the Custard Factory. It is anticipated the line could be open by 2023.
In Wolverhampton, permission has just been granted by the Government to begin work on the £18m city centre extension, with completion also scheduled for 2019.
