It may be around eight months later than scheduled but trams are now finally running to Edgbaston Village after the second phase of the West Midlands Metro Birmingham Westside extension officially opened on Sunday 17th July 2022. The first tram to run with passengers on board between Library and Edgbaston Village was Urbos100 42 with nine other trams also in use to operate the planned 12 minute frequency service on this first day of service.
42 formed the 0714 from Wednesbury Parkway to Edgbaston Village and although it was a relatively low key affair, Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, did board the tram at Grand Central for the ride through to Edgbaston Village (obviously wanted to notch the new track in his book!).
The tram was fairly busy for first thing on a Sunday morning with many enthusiasts and local residents alike wanting to finally take the tram on the extension – the first ticket was sold to British Trams Online regular contributor, Andy Walters.
Although 42 ran the first public service of the day it wasn’t actually the first tram to run to Edgbaston Village on the day as 39 has traversed the route some 50 minutes earlier. One would presume this was to make sure that the route was clear so that there were no embarrassing incidents on the historic first tram.
After 42 the following trams were also in service – 45, 44, 34, 40, 43, 41, 38, 18 and 39. This marked the first recorded use of 34 since it has received its bodyside repairs with just one other Urbos3 also in service in the shape of 18. According to conversations on board the trams half of the Urbos3s have now had their repairs completed although whether they are also fully commissioned for service remains to be seen.
The 1.35km route extends the Birmingham Westside line from Library to Edgbaston Village. It includes three new stops at Brindleyplace, Five Ways and Edgbaston Village – all of which have platforms either side of the tracks. There is a scissors crossover just before Edgbaston Village allowing trams to access either platform. Probably the most impressive piece of infrastructure constructed on the route has been the Five Ways underpass which trams use just after departure from Five Ways stop to reach Hagley Road and the new terminus. The vast majority of the route is built without overhead wires although the final section immediately approaching the new terminus has been built with overhead installed.
At the moment trams will run every 12 minutes along the entire West Midlands Metro route (every 15 minutes after 1900) but its hoped that at busy times, if possible, extra trams will run. It had been the hope of opening the extension before the Commonwealth Games and this has been achieved (by 11 days). With ticket holders to the Games being permitted free travel on the Metro on the day of the event they are attending it is hoped that many will use it to reach hotels and other hospitality venues along Broad Street.
Now that the Birmingham Westside extension has opened in full the next part of the West Midlands Metro jigsaw due to open is that to Wolverhampton Railway Centre – maybe later this year? The Brierley Hill line was last scheduled to open in 2023 with the Birmingham Eastside extension also in the process of being built.
First tram 42 arrives at Library. Note the destination display shows Edgbaston Village.
On board the tram with Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street (in the checked shirt). (Photographs x2 by Tim Walton, 17th July 2022)
44 at one of the new intermediate stops, Five Ways, bound for Edgbaston Village.
18 stands at Edgbaston Village – the newest terminus on a UK tramway!
The passenger information screen on board showing the Edgbaston Village destination. (Photographs x3 by Dan Noon, 17th July 2022)
45 is seen departing here from Edgbaston Village for Wolverhampton St George’s.
40 disappears down into Five Ways underpass heading for Edgbaston Village.
Another view at Five Ways underpass with 43 on the descent. (Photographs x3 by Andy Walters, 17th July 2022)
- We will have plenty more coverage from the opening in a future update of British Trams Online.