The Department for Transport have announced that Full (final) approval has been given to the Midland Metro extension through Birmingham City Centre to New Street railway station. This means that work can really begin in earnest on getting the extension constructed along with the procurement of a fleet of new trams – with CAF already announced as preferred bidder – and a Depot Enhancement scheme. The DfT had previously given the green light to the scheme but this announcement means the funding is now fully in place and permission to go ahead in finalised.
The project will cost a total of £128 million with the Department for Transport providing £75.4 million towards this and the remainder being sourced by Centro, Birmingham City Council and the regional Black Country authorities.
Geoff Inskip, Chief Executive of Centro, commented: “We are delighted to get the final go-ahead from Treasury and Ministers. Norman Baker has been a great advocate for this project and we will waste no time in pressing ahead with the construction of the extension which, together with the rebuilding of New Street Station, will transform our public transport network. Today’s announcement is marvellous news for passengers and represents a further shot in the arm for the Birmingham and Black Country economy.”
Norman Baker MP, Local Transport Minister, added: “This scheme will bring trams back
to the heart of Birmingham, which is great news for both the city itself and the wider West Midlands. It will provide a new, sustainable transport choice for those wishing to reach the city centre’s bustling shopping streets and the emerging business district in Snow Hill. The scheme will also cut carbon and create growth by getting more people on to public transport, create 1,300 new jobs and deliver a £50m boost to the local economy.’
The extension of Midland Metro will leave the current line just before Snow Hill tramstop travelling on a newly built viaduct before running through the City Centre and terminating in front of New Street railway station. It is planned that the extension will have trams running in passenger service by March 2015.
It was revealed earlier this year that Spanish firm CAF had been awarded preferred bidder status to provide a fleet of 19 new trams as a replacement for the original Ansaldo built trams. Now that this final approval has been given Centro will now be able to go ahead and sign contracts for the delivery of these vehicles which are planned to enter service from February 2014.
The final part of the scheme is an enhancement project at the current Wednesbury Depot.
This will see the depot enlarged to allow the larger fleet to be accommodated. This project is scheduled for completion in August 2013.