Midland Metro trams to lose overhead lines
Trams in the West Midlands are set to be the first in the country to run on batteries rather than overhead wires.
Centro has signed a deal with Spanish tram manufacture CAF to have the Midland Metro fleet fitted with the batteries.
The cutting-edge technology will allow the trams to run overhead line-free through architecturally sensitive areas or where expensive building works would be needed to install overhead power lines.
The 21 tram fleet is scheduled to be ready for when the extension from Birmingham New Street station to Centenary Square is opened in 2019.
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James Aspinall, the managing director of Centro, signed the deal with CAF's Western Europe director Antonio Campos Irujo.
Mr Aspinall said: "This is an exciting new development for the Midland Metro as it will be the first tram fleet in the country to operate in this way.
"By upgrading these vehicles we are cementing the role of tram as an important means of public transport for the region."
Mr Campos Irujo added: "I am delighted to be signing this contract on behalf of CAF. There are only a handful of cities in the world and none in the UK that operates catenary-free running, and in doing so the Midland Metro joins an exclusive club."
The lithium ion batteries will be fitted on the tram roof and be recharged by overhead lines along other parts of the route. The first tram to be converted will be sent to CAF's manufacturing plant in Zaragoza in Spain.
Once this has been successfully completed and tested the remainder of the conversion work will be done at the Metro depot at Wednesbury, in Sandwell.
The cost of the scheme is commercially sensitive however a £3.15m contribution will be made by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and £1m will come from industry association UKTram.
