The Birmingham Westside extension of Midland Metro will move into its next phase of construction from Monday 29th January which will see Broad Street closed to all but buses, taxis and service vehicles for the long-term. This extension is due to open in two phases between 2019/20 and 2021 and will see trams running through Centenary Square to Edgbaston, extending from the current Grand Central terminus.
Broad Street will be closed to other traffic between Granville Street and Paradise Circus Queensway to allow the tram work to continue unhindered. Bridge Street will be closed at the junction of Broad Street and Centenary Square, with access for pedestrians and cyclists only. And if that wasn’t enough there will also be temporary traffic signals with shuttle lane running on the approach from Five Ways to Broad Street for four weeks. This will mean vehicles will only be able to turn left from Bishopsgate Street and Sheepcote Street onto Broad Street.
Steve Grimes, Project Director for the Birmingham Westside Extension for the Midland Metro Alliance, said: “We understand that nobody likes disruption to their regular travel plans but we are working with the Birmingham City Council, Westside Business Improvement District and Transport for West Midlands to minimise our impact wherever possible. Our Engagement Team will continue to work with local businesses and residents to keep them up-to-date with our plans.”
The Birmingham Westside extension will be delivered in two phases with the first phase extending from Grand Central, past Birmingham Town Hall to Centenary Square with tram stops at Victoria Square and the Paradise and Arena Central developments at Centenary Square. It is planned this part will open in 2019/20 and when it does it will include the first section of battery operated tramway in the UK. Phase two is then scheduled to follow in 2021, and this will run through to Hagley Road, Edgbaston with stops also provided at Brindleyplace and Five Ways.