The proposed Midland Metro extensions serve regeneration areas in the Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell, Birmingham and Dudley local authority areas, improving accessibility and mobility to, from, and within these areas.
An independent study found the Midland Metro extensions have the potential to create nearly 15,000 jobs and add over half a billion pounds to the region's economy.
Birmingham City Centre Extension
The Birmingham City Centre Extension will take Midland Metro from its current terminus at Snow Hill and extend it into the heart of the city to New Street Station.
Work is already well underway on the scheme with the completion of the Great Charles Street Bridge and a number of key procurement milestones hit.
The proposed route runs for 1.4 kilometres through Birmingham city centre with four new stops provided.
A new Snow Hill stop will be constructed on the existing railway viaduct at Livery Street/Lionel Street. This will provide interchange with national and local rail services at Snow Hill station by way of the new secondary access, and access to the neighbouring Ballymore development and those in the nearby Gun Quarter and Great Charles and Lionel Streets.
From Snow Hill, the route continues over the new Great Charles Street bridge, through the Ballymore Development then on-street along Colmore Circus Queensway, into Bull Street before turning onto Corporation Street, across New Street and into Stephenson Street. A stop will be located on Stephenson Street providing interchange with New Street Gateway.
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Regeneration and Social Inclusion
The economic growth of the West Midlands and the regeneration of the most deprived areas have helped to shape the design of the Midland Metro extensions.
In terms of getting a transport network fit for the future, expansion of Midland Metro is critical. A social and economic study by the Centre for Economic and Business Research showed that Metro expansion would create nearly 15,000 jobs and add nearly half a billion pounds to the West Midlands economy.
Extensions have the potential to create 14,506 new jobs, of which 73.9% will be from Regeneration Zones adding £513million to the region's economy. The sectors which will receive the biggest boost from the improved network are business services, wholesale, retail and manufacturing. Health and education sectors will also reap the rewards.
Routes have been tailored to meet the requirements of local authorities in helping achieve an integrated, long-term regeneration strategy. Developed in partnership with the private sector, the strategy helps to address competitiveness and build sustainable communities with Midland Metro being a key component in its achievement.
Expansion was a recommendation of the original Government Multi Modal Study. It is now an integral part of the Regional Spatial Strategy, LTP and Regional Transport Plan.
Private Investment
A new viaduct has been constructed over Great Charles Street which will carry Midland Metro past Snow Hill and into the heart of Birmingham city centre .
The viaduct, which cost £9m, is a contribution from private developer Ballymore and is further recognition of the importance of the scheme in improving the connectivity of the city.
Congestion Relief
Based on figures for the modal transfer achieved for Line 1, almost eight million car journeys would be removed from the West Midlands' already congested roads each year.
Financially Sustainable
When completed, the Metro city centre extension could carry over 8 million passengers per annum.
Tram/Train
We are looking at enhancing the case for future Metro through shared use of rail lines using 'tram - trains'. Possibilities include the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill and Coventry to Nuneaton corridors.
This imaginative use of 'tram/train' would not replace, but supplement current plans for Metro. Implementation may also facilitate introduction of a south/west to north/east freight corridor, unlocking freight capacity.
