All aboard as new Metro extension to Millennium Point opens this Easter

Passenger tram services are to start running to the Millennium Point stop from Easter Sunday (5 April), connecting even more parts of Birmingham city centre to the West Midlands Metro network.

This first stage of the Birmingham Eastside Metro extension includes two stops offering passengers easy access to key destinations including Moor Street Station, the Clayton Hotel, Birmingham City University campus and Millennium Point. The opening comes in time for families planning an Easter holiday visit to the popular Thinktank attraction.

It also offers a direct tram link, at the new Albert Street stop for the 400,000 bus passengers who use the Moor Street bus interchange every week – offering travellers seamless links between bus, tram and train for the first time in this part of the city centre.

And the extended route is just the start of a major expansion for West Midlands Metro through the east of the city:

• Work is already underway in Meriden Street to continue the line to Digbeth Coach Station.
• Detailed plans are being drawn up for a further extension to Birmingham City Football Club’s planned 60,000 seater Powerhouse stadium.
• And longer term the route is expected to carry on through East Birmingham and North Solihull to Birmingham Airport.

The new extension is also the first part of the route to branch off from the main West Midlands Metro line between Birmingham and Wolverhampton. A second branch will be opened later this year when trams start running between Wednesbury and Dudley.

The extension to Millennium Point has been delivered by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). Services are run by West Midlands Metro.

Sandeep Shingadia, executive director of TfWM, said: “This new extension will bring people close to the places where they work, study and visit, while supporting local businesses.

“It is just the beginning of a much wider transformation of our Metro network to connect more communities, open up new opportunities to help our region grow and make travel easier and more accessible for everyone.”

The opening will see changes to the existing timetable with some services between Bull Street and Grand Central being routed to the new stops.

Sophie Allison, managing director of West Midlands Metro said: “The entire Metro team is looking forward to welcoming new and existing customers on the new route as we reach another important milestone in the expansion of the tram network.

“The two new stops will initially see services up to every 15 minutes, delivering a wealth of benefits for local businesses and the travelling public by connecting another vibrant part of the city centre to the wider tram system.”

Phil Edwards, director of infrastructure and sustainability at Birmingham City Council, added:  “It’s great to see the opening of new tram stops in Eastside, which will provide improved public transport access to Birmingham Knowledge Quarter including Millennium Point and the Birmingham City University campus for residents and visitors alike.

“The council looks forward to working with WMCA to open further stops on the route through to Digbeth and beyond to the Birmingham Sports Quarter in due course.”

Construction was carried out by the Midland Metro Alliance on behalf of TfWM.

Maria Ion, project director for the Alliance, said: “It’s incredibly rewarding to see trams ready to run on a route we’ve spent years planning and building.

“This milestone has been achieved through close collaboration with our partners through all phases, from planning and construction to testing and commissioning. We are grateful to local residents and businesses for their patience and cooperation throughout the construction process.”