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First tram arrives at Birmingham's Millennium Point during test run

The first trams have reached Millennium Point in Birmingham as part of a successful overnight test on the first stage of a new extension.

By Mark Andrews
Published

The first phase of the Eastside extension includes two stops offering passengers easy access to important destinations including Moor Street station, Millennium Point and the Birmingham City University campus, while work continues to take the extension to Digbeth Coach Station.

It also offers a direct tram link for the almost 400,000 bus passengers a week who use services at the busy Moor Street bus station, bringing bus, rail, tram and cycle hire together in a single location.

Trams at the new stop on Albert Street, next to Moor Street Queensway
Trams at the new stop on Albert Street, next to Moor Street Queensway

It is part of West Midland mayor Richard Parker's £400 million plan to extend the tram network to Birmingham City FC's proposed new stadium. Eventually the plan is for the trams to link up with Birmingham Airport and the HS2 station.

Late-night testing will continue over the next few weeks as Midland Metro Alliance engineers fully test the line and fine tune the track ready for the route to be handed over to West Midlands Metro for driver training and timetable testing. Passenger services are due to start in the autumn.

The tests are the first time trams have run down Lower Bull Street, Albert Street and across Moor Street Queensway before stopping at a temporary terminus next to the Eastside City Park.

Tram tests on new track on Lower Bull Street
Tram tests on new track on Lower Bull Street

Mr Parker said: “Our plan to extend the Metro network to East Birmingham and Solihull is crucial to unlocking the £3 billion private sector investment in our new sports quarter, which in turn will create huge opportunities for communities that have been held back for too long.

“These successful tests show how close we are to opening up new reliable tram links to this part of Birmingham city centre. Soon it will be easier for everyone to get around – whether they are commuting to work, heading to class or travelling further afield by connecting to rail and bus services.

"It’s about more than just transport; it’s about connecting people to the businesses and education opportunities that will drive our region forward.”

The track has already been completed in Digbeth and construction work is shortly due to commence on the next section on Meriden Street before joining the two tracks together on the Curzon Street station site.