Midland Metro completes Eastside track work

The final section of tram track in Digbeth for the Midland Metro Eastside extension was welded into place on 9 January, meaning all the rail is in place from Lower Bull Street to Digbeth High Street. 

 

The Digbeth section has been enhanced with new paving, green infrastructure and landscaped areas as part of the Birmingham City Council masterplan to regenerate the area. 

 

Although the new track in Digbeth will not be used to carry passengers until the HS2 station at Cursor Street opens, probably in 2026, the first part of the extension, to Moor Street Queensway, should open about a year earlier. 

 

Anne Shaw, Executive Director of Transport for West Midlands, said, ‘the completion of main construction along Digbeth High Street is fantastic news for those living and working in the area. It’s great to see how Digbeth has been transformed in recent months with the new track, paving and greenery, which have vastly improved the look of the area. This project will play such a pivotal role in the wider regeneration of the Eastside of Birmingham city centre. 

 

Although there remains a wait for tram services to start running in Digbeth while we await access to the Curzon Street Station site, there are plans to part-open extension with a temporary stop outside the Clayton Hotel to unlock some of these benefits for local people and businesses sooner’.