Traffic diversions in place ahead of tram extension
TRAFFIC diversions are set to come into force on Birmingham’s Broad Street from Monday as work to extend the West Midlands Metro to Edgbaston enters a new stage.
Bus services will not stop along the major route until spring 2020, while cars, taxis and lorries will only be able to access it between Sheepcote Street and Gas Street.
Construction in nearby Five Ways underpass is progressing following its closure in June and will remain closed until the Metro extension is completed in 2021.
Anne Shaw, director of Network Resilience at Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), said: “As construction of the Metro continues along Broad Street, we’re asking those people who normally travel in and out of the city via Broad Street to check how their journeys are affected before they return to school and work in just over a week’s time.”
The next stage of activity on Broad Street is part of the Birmingham Westside extension, which follows the Metro extension from St Chads to Grand Central, which opened for passenger service in May 2016.
Once completed, the Metro will operate between Grand Central and Hagley Road in Edgbaston. Construction for the new route started in June 2017 and, along with four other tram extensions in the West Midlands, is being delivered by the Midland Metro Alliance, part of West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
The team is in the final stages of construction on the extended tramway to Centenary Square, which is anticipated to open by December.
Michael Thomas, Project Lead at the MMA, said: “We recognise that there will be some disruption to those living, working, travelling and visiting the city during this vital next stage of Metro works. We continue to work with partners and transport operators to minimise the impact on the travelling public.”