17.02.12
Birmingham tram extension approved
The tram network in Birmingham is set to be extended, after transport minister Norman Baker gave final approval to the £128m scheme. Trams have been absent from the city centre since 1953.
The new metro service will link Snow Hill station with the redeveloped Birmingham New Street from 2015. The project will deliver a new fleet of trams, create 1,300 jobs and generate £50m for the local economy. The maintenance depot at Wednesbury will also be developed to increase its capacity.
The DfT is providing £75.4m towards the scheme, which is being led by Centro with Birmingham City Council and the Black Country district councils.
Baker called the scheme “great news for both the city itself and the wider West Midlands”.
He added: “It will provide a new, sustainable transport choice for those wishing to reach the city centres bustling shopping streets and the emerging business district in Snow Hill.”
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group chief executive Jerry Blackett said: “By linking up our major railway stations within the city centre we move ever closer to creating a more integrated and well-connected city.
“It is vital for businesses that Birmingham has a good inter connecting transport system. The Metro has played a big part in the City’s attempts to address this.
“With the development of New Street and a new high speed rail station located next to Moor Street the next ten years are going to be transformational for the City which will cement its position as the beating heart of the UK’s transport network.”
Work has already begun to move bus stops to make way for the new tram line.
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