15.04.13
Platform work complete at Midland Metro
Midland Metro re-opens today following two-week closure while the tram system was extended and improved.
The £128m project involved over 50 engineers narrowing all platforms along the route from Snow Hill to Wolverhampton by 100mm to accommodate the new fleet of larger trams.
The £40m new tram fleet is set to start service on the route next year. It will allow Centro to increase frequency to 10 trams an hour throughout the day; a 40% increase in capcity, which will help to ease overcrowding.
An extension of the tramline to New Street station is due to open in 2015 when a rebuild of the station is also complete.
Paul Griffiths, Centro’s Metro programme director, said: “The essential work to alter the platforms along the Midland Metro route is nearly complete and passengers will be able to start using the trams again from Monday.
“This is a major step forward for this project and paves the way for the arrival of the new, bigger trams which passengers will start seeing on tracks next year. The extension will bring major economic benefits to our region as well as increasing capacity for passengers and we are now ready to take the next steps in this project.”
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