06.09.17
Iconic Birmingham statue makes way for start of tram expansion project
The Midland Metro tram expansion has taken a key step forward as one of Birmingham’s iconic landmarks, the Iron: Man, was lifted out of Victoria Square to make way for construction.
Two cranes were used to raise the six-tonne metal sculpture out of the ground, marking the start of work on the Westside tram extension.
This extension will take trams from New Street Station, through Victoria Square and a redeveloped Paradise Circus, then past Centenary Square, along Broad Street and through Five Ways before terminating in Hagley Road, Edgbaston.
It is the start of a 10-year expansion of the network by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), which will also work on new routes through Birmingham, Solihull, Wolverhampton, Dudley and Sandwell.
The Iron: Man was put in place in 1993, but as it is in the direct path of the extension of the network, it will be moved, cleaned and put into storage before being returned to Victoria Square late next year.
“Extending the Metro through the city centre to New Street station has already proved a tremendous success,” said West Midlands mayor Andy Street. “People like the trams and want more of them.
“That’s why we will be tripling the size of the network over the coming decade so our towns and cities are not only better connected to each other but also to the HS2 high-speed rail line.
“This will help create a transport network that can underpin economic growth and jobs and bring greater prosperity for everyone in the West Midlands.”
The start of the Westside extension work also follows the government confirming that it will put nearly £60m towards the cost of construction for the project.
An additional £84m will come from WMCA’s transport arm, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), as well as the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and the Birmingham City Centre Enterprise Zone.
Cllr John Clancy, leader of Birmingham City Council, added: “This is an important moment for the future of public transport in Birmingham.
“Not only will extensions to the Metro connect with HS2 and help citizens to move around the city, trams are also an important driver in opening up development sites helping us to create jobs and promote inclusive economic growth.”
The countdown is on to get your entries in for this year’s UKRIA. Closing date is 25 September. ENTER NOW!