The first phase of the Birmingham Eastside extension as far as Millennium Point (by the Clayton Hotel) is set to be the next UK tram extension to open with the expectation that passengers will be able to travel onto it at some point in December. In this article we take a pictorial look at the state of the extension in early October 2025 as final preparations are made.
It was early August 2025 that the first trams ran on initial tests onto the Eastside extension with 55 used on the usual “slow speed” tests to make sure everything is as it should be. 35 and 36 followed the next night as the testing continued. It is now planned that from somewhen in early November driver training will commence as part of a wider service change plan (its when the Wolverhampton St George’s stop will be permanently reopened following its late September-mid October temporary return.
Phase one of the Eastside extension will see two stops added to the network – Albert Street and Millennium Point. The latter is a temporary terminus as its not currently possible for work to commence around the HS2 station at Curzon Street. The service pattern for the extension is yet to be announced.
New bollards at intersection of Moor Street Queensway and the tram lines.
The new terminus at Millennium Point with much of the platform furniture in place. The stop is actually fairly close to Curzon Street station, the historic building of which can be seen beyond the blue fence.
Its an island platform at Albert Street as well with the stop on the right behind the barriers.
Where Albert street joins Lower Bull Street.
Looking along Lower Bull Street and past the delta junction into Bull Street where we see a tram on the current city centre line.
The track on the delta junction has been in place for a couple of years and so ahead of services getting underway there are a few maintenance jobs to be completed. (All Photographs by Ken Jones, 9th October 2025)