For a long time work on the West Midlands Metro Birmingham Eastside extension has been at a bit of an impasse with contractors from the Midland Metro Alliance unable to access the area around the HS2 station at Curzon Street. This has led to the situation we currently have with a short section of the line having opened as far as a temporary terminus at Millennium Point with the rest of the extension just waiting. But things are now starting to progress with the news that access has now been given to the first section of land on the HS2 site.
Contractors were able to take possession of the first section of land in early October and are now making preparations ahead of the laying of track from the current terminus at Millennium Point.
The second section of land at Curzon Street is due to be handed over in 2027. This section is where HS2 is laying concrete beams across structural pillars to create the tunnel to allow trams to pass directly beneath the station.
Elsewhere on the line tracks have already been completed at the far end of the extension in Digbeth High Street and there is active construction work taking place along New Canal Street.
With the Midland Metro Alliance now starting to take possession around Curzon Street it is hoped that trams will be running to Digbeth Coach Station at some point in 2028. This will not include a tram stop at Curzon Street as that will follow at a later date along with the HS2 station.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Getting spades in the ground at the HS2 Curzon Street site is a major step forward for our tram network. This final section bridges the gap between Bull Street and Digbeth, opening up crucial local connections and driving investment right into the heart of Birmingham. It also lays the foundations to extend Metro services out to the Sports Quarter and beyond.”
Jonathan Berry, HS2 Ltd’s Project Director for Curzon Street station, said: “The Eastside Metro extension will bring huge benefits for Birmingham – improving public transport links through Digbeth and boosting access to jobs and education opportunities.
“That’s why we’ve been working really hard with our contractors and TfWM to agree the two-stage handover of the land they need under the station so work can begin as soon as possible.
“We’re making strong progress on the main site and remain on track to handover the rest of the space needed for the tram in spring next year.”