The mile-long extension of the West Midlands Metro line from Grand Central to Edgbaston Village has reached its first annual milestone.
And now you can see some of its first-year highlights in all weathers in our special two-minute video here:
Watch it gliding along from above, from within the carriages and from the pavements alongside … and marvel at how its bright blue livery lights up the city and complements the diverse local architecture of Birmingham’s most important street. Note too how the trams even leaves buses in their wake!
Phase one of the city centre extension from Stephenson Street to Centenary Square opened on 11 December 2019.
Following the first Covid lockdown which began on 20 March 2020 and other unforeseen delays, Phase Two from Centenary Square to Hagley Road launched on 17 July 2022 – seven months later than scheduled.
But the important thing is that the line has been running so well ever since – having begun life having to cope with the incredible 40C temperatures within a week of going live.
More and more passengers have been discovering that the tram offers a regular, speedy connection to wherever you need to get to in total comfort.
Whether you want to connect to other parts of the city such as New Street Railway Station on time or to avoid everything from sunburn to torrential rain and high winds, then the tram offers a regular, speedy connection. And a return ticket is currently just £2.80 for the day.
Mike Olley, Westside BID general manager, said: “The swift smoothness of the transcendent tram moving effortlessly across Centenary Square onto and along Broad Street, represents a bold modernist statement. Westside is connected, Westside is operational and Westside is irrepressible. Westside is of the age.”
Sophie Allison, West Midlands Metro managing director, commented: “Since opening in July 2022, the extension to Edgbaston Village has proved a huge hit with customers.
“It’s popularity with both visitors to the area and local residents is reflected in the fact that we’re fast approaching nearly a million passenger journeys to and from stops on the new section of line that serves several key locations, including Five Ways and Brindleyplace.
“During the day and until late at night, the growing Metro system provides a frequent and reliable service, with trams from every ten minutes, for people visiting this vibrant part of the city for business or leisure.”
How much did it cost?
The 0.4 mile Phase 1 stretch from Grand Central to the Library of Birmingham included a higher standard of finish along Pinfold Street and Paradise Street. The £65.98 million cost was equivalent to around £100,000 per metre.
Phase two cost £83.4 million. Extending the service from Centenary Square to 54 Hagley Road via the Five Ways underpass worked out at roughly £65,000 per metre for the 0.8 miles of track.
The overall cost of both phases of the 1.2 mile extension was priced at £149 million, equivalent to £77,000 per metre.
ENDS
