Exciting plans to run 21^st century trams through the streets of Birmingham city have been given initial funding approval by the Government.

 

The announcement shows the Department for Transport's commitment for the £127.1 million scheme which will see Midland Metro trams exit Snow Hill Station and glide through the heart of the shopping district before terminating outside a rebuilt and futuristic New Street Station.

 

The joint project by Centro, Birmingham City and the Black Country councils, will revolutionise the way people travel around the city giving a fast link between Birmingham's two major rail stations. It will also provide a much needed quick and easy connection from New Street to the emerging business district at Snow Hill, the unique and historic Jewellery Quarter and out into the Black Country on the existing Midland Metro line.

 

The Government's support for the project and their backing of the business case is an important first part of the approval process. Working closely with the Department for Transport to finalise the funding, Centro and its partners are keen to start work quickly. This will bring the massive benefits of the Midland Metro tram system through the city to residents and visitors of the West Midlands - transforming public transport in Birmingham and helping to create an even more attractive, modern and vibrant environment in the city centre.

 

The extension will play a key role in linking Birmingham city centre's main stations including the new High Speed rail station announced by the Government last week, making it much easier for people to access all rail services. The extension is forecast to boost the regional economy by £50 million a year and create up to 1,300 sustainable new jobs.

 

 

An integrated and reliable public transport system is crucial to encouraging people out of their cars, reducing congestion and carbon emissions and contributing positively to the regeneration and economy of the region.

 

Centro believes that Midland Metro Line 1, which operates between Birmingham Snow Hill and Wolverhampton, and proposed extensions to the existing system, will have a significant impact on the economy of the West Midlands region and will act as a catalyst for economic growth.

 

Midland Metro is a state-of-the art, electrically powered light rail system that provides safe, comfortable, smooth and quick transport.

 

Midland Metro Line 1 runs between Wolverhampton and Birmingham serving Bilston, Wednesbury and West Bromwich on the way. It has 23 stops and operates a fast and frequent service with a tram every 6-8 minutes during the daytime peak and every 10 minutes at all other times.

 

Line 1 opened to the public in 1999 and now carries more than 5.2 million passengers a year between Wolverhampton and Birmingham. Travel Midland Metro, part of the concessionaire Altram, operates Midland Metro seven days a week with a turn-up-and-go eight-minute frequency during the day.

 

Midland Metro consistently achieves 98-99% performance reliability making it the best performing public transport in the West Midlands. It is very popular with users and 17% of Metro customers gave up their car journeys to use Metro - proving it offers a real alternative to sitting in traffic queues.

 

Each tram carries 158 people with 56 seats taking up far less space than private cars require for this number of people.

 

As part of Network West Midlands, Metro is integrated with the bus and rail network. Where possible, bus stops are located next to tram stops and there is cross-platform interchange with the rail network at the Hawthorns, Jewellery Quarter and Snow Hill stops. 550 car park spaces at Park & Ride facilities are available at four Metro stops – Priestfield, Wednesbury Parkway, Black Lake and the Hawthorns. Cycle storage is available at all stops between the termini at Birmingham Snow Hill and Wolverhampton St George's.

 

15% of the 5.2 million passengers transfer from their car to Metro for their journey which means that an estimated 1.2 million car journeys are taken off the West Midlands' congested roads each year.

 

Midland Metro is environmentally friendly as power is generated by overhead electrical wires which supply a 750 volt direct current to the tram. This means that trams have zero pollution at point of use - helping to improve the air quality and noise levels in our already busy town and city streets, creating cleaner, greener and healthier town and city centres.

 

There is easy access and level boarding and spaces for two wheelchairs on every tram to ensure full access for people with mobility difficulties as well as those with pushchairs, buggies and luggage. The trams and tram stops will comply with the latest disability discrimination regulations.

 

Trams are designed with safety and security to the fore. All stops are well lit and are monitored by closed circuit television (CCTV). There are direct links via a help point intercom with the control room. CCTV is also being introduced onboard vehicles where a help point on board connects passengers to the driver. Conductors operate on each tram.

 

Using Metro is simplicity itself! Just get onboard and pay your fare to the conductor. A range of tickets can be purchased, including singles, returns, off- peak tickets and travel cards. The recently introduced nnetwork and nbus passes are also valid for use.