14.06.12
Work starts on Midlands Metro extension
Work on the Birmingham Metro tram extension began yesterday, launched by transport minister Norman Baker. The dig has begun as the junction of Corporation Street and Bull Street, with work to move water pipes and power cables.
The extension, which will run from Snow Hill Station to New Street Station, is part of a larger £127m joint project between Centro and Black Country and Birmingham City Councils.
The project includes a larger Metro maintenance depot at Wednesbury and a fleet of 20 new and bigger trams that will increase passenger capacity and frequency of service between Birmingham and Wolverhampton to every six minutes throughout the day.
The Midland Metro extension will create 1,500 jobs and boost the regional economy by over £50m per year and is due to open in 2015, coinciding with the reopening of New Street Station.
Baker said: “This is an example of the kind of infrastructure project we need to help boost growth around theUKand that is why I am pleased that we have been able to contribute £75m towards the cost of the scheme.”
Centro’s vice chairman Cllr Jon Hunt said: “The start of work on the Metro extension is a real milestone in the transformation of our city’s transport system.
“It will not only bring jobs and increased economic activity but will also help create a much improved shopping environment especially in Corporation which will be cleaner, quieter and far less congested.”
Work on the extension will seeCorporation Streetpermanently closed to traffic later this summer.
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