WATCH West Midlands Metro journey through Birmingham city centre line extension
These computer-generated clips showcase how the West Midlands Metro will take passengers through Birmingham city centre.
New footage shows the blue tram passing a series of landmarks including Victoria Square, the Town Hall and the Library of Birmingham, before it arrives at the new Centenary Square station.
It demonstrates how the tram will merge with traffic at the remodelled Paradise Circus/Queensway/Paradise Street junction.
WATCH the journey here:
Trams running on the Westside extension will also be battery powered – a UK first.
The 840-metre extension is currently under construction and is due to open towards the end of 2019.
A further 1.35-kilometre extension will take the tram to Hagley Road, Edgbaston, and will be completed in 2021.
Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, said the clip shows people how the extension will be a 'wonderful addition to region's transport network'.
He said: "These are exciting times for Birmingham city centre and the Westside tram extension will deliver passengers to the heart of the many new office developments at Paradise and Arena Central as well as the city’s famous visitor destinations."
The tram system is owned by Transport for West Midlands part of the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Councillor Roger Lawrence, leader of City of Wolverhampton Council and combined authority portfolio holder for transport, added: "The Birmingham Westside extension is just part of the wider investment in the Midland Metro we have planned over the next few years.
“The Wolverhampton city centre extension is currently under construction and we are planning new lines between Wednesbury and Brierley Hill and between Birmingham city centre and Solihull.
“There is unprecedented investment in public transport in the West Midlands which will put hundreds of thousands of people within easy reach of major centres and support the economic growth of the region.”
