BIRMINGHAM CITY CENTRE EXTENSION GIVEN GO-AHEAD The 1.5km extension of Midland Metro through Birmingham City Centre to New Street station has been given initial approval and is now at “programme entry status”. This means the DfT expect to fund the scheme subject to the availability of funds, the costs remain at £127.1 million and the relevant planning permission is obtained.
The extension leaves the present route from Wolverhampton just before Birmingham Snow Hill along a £9 million viaduct built by Snow Hill office developers Barrymore, to Bull Street and Corporation Street to terminate in Stephenson Street for New Street station.
If final go-ahead is given – and it is still subject to refusal if there are any spending cuts by any future government – the DfT will provide £81 million of the £127.1 million cost. Included in this cost is the acquisition of a fleet of “cutting edge” trams to replace the current capacity-constrained fleet.
Transport Minister, Chris Mole, said: “This is good news for the people of the West Midlands. An efficient and reliable transport system is critical to any city. That is why we’re investing significant amounts of money in infrastructure in towns and cities across the country. Not only will this scheme help to support the ongoing regeneration in central Birmingham it will also benefit the wider West Midlands region."
Geoff Inskip, Chief Executive of Centro, said: “This announcement is good news for people living in Birmingham and the Black Country as it shows the Government’s support for the project and their backing of the business case which is an important first part of the approval process. We’re very keen to start work so we can bring the massive benefits of Midland Metro tram system through the city to residents and visitors to the West Midlands - transforming public transport in Birmingham and helping to create an even more attractive, modern and vibrant environment in the city centre. We will continue our close working with the Department for Transport so we can finalise the funding. We look forward to the Government’s support to achieve this in the very near future.”
Cllr Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council, added: “Metro is the just the latest piece in the jigsaw which when complete will see the total overhaul of how transportation works in Birmingham, making the city easier to navigate and more appealing to everyone who lives, works or plays in it. Operating alongside the £600m New Street Gateway, the airport extension, High Speed Rail, our £2.7bn highways Pfi, and improvements to bus services and secondary rail services, Metro will play a key role in making the city more accessible to residents and even more attractive to the global investors that are already noticing Birmingham’s potential.”
All being well, procurement will start in Autumn 2010, construction in 2012 and completion will be in winter 2014/5.
Source: Graham Sidwell (Editor, Tramfare), Department for Transport & Centro
Midland Metro – Sunday 21st March 2010
Transport minister Chris Mole (left) and Centro chief executive Geoff Inskip posing for photographers at Birmingham Snow Hill on 18 March.
Photo: Graham Sidwell (Editor of Tramfare)
Artist’s impression of a tram passing in front of the new Snow Hill development and heading for Bull Street. The former terminus is on the left.
Courtesy Centro
A map showing the route the extension will take through Birmingham City Centre.
Courtesy Centro