The Midland Metro Alliance have confirmed that they will be starting preliminary construction work on the Birmingham Eastside extension on Digbeth High Street from 6th July. This work will help to revive Birmingham’s creative quarter with a fresh look along with sustainable transport links.
Digbeth High Street will be transformed with the creation of public spaces alongside the new West Midlands Metro route into Birmingham City Centre. Work will get underway from 6th July when lane restrictions are introduced to enable the central reservation and an existing traffic lane to be removed. Then later in the summer work will move to the outbound carriageway before switching to the inbound section in the autumn.
Stephen Christopher, Construction Director at the Midland Metro Alliance, said: “It is fantastic that work is beginning to be more visible for the Birmingham Eastside Metro extension with work now underway in Lower Bull Street in the city centre and about to begin on Digbeth High Street. There will be some unavoidable disruption, so we are working with Birmingham City Council and TfWM to keep those living, working and visiting the area informed of our plans.”
There is currently no date for the opening of the Birmingham Eastside extension as it is partly dependent on HS2 construction work with the line running via the planned Curzon Street HS2 station. When it does open it will add 1.7km to the network running from Bull Street to Digbeth including four new stops. More than half the route will be free of overhead wires.
Tim Pile, Chair of Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The preliminary construction which is set to begin next week will deliver a major improvement to the heart of the Eastside and will transform how visitors, businesses and residents use the area. As a LEP creating better places for our residents to live and work is fundamental to our mission of driving forwards inclusive economic growth. Our unique triple helix structure of bringing local government, businesses and educational organisations together means we are working with Birmingham City Council to ensure Digbeth High Street is fit for the future.”