Latest milestone in West Midlands metro extension marked
A key piece of tramway infrastructure has been installed on a busy road which marks the latest milestone in the West Midlands Metro's extension.
Work has been completed on the switch and crossing – a section of rail allowing trams to move from one track to another – on Hagley Road.
It comes after weeks of intricate construction activity on the line, which started in mid-October, as part of the metro's extension to Edgbaston.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: "Big construction projects have a critical role to play in our region’s economic recovery from coronavirus as they help to create and protect local jobs in the construction industry – one of our region’s biggest employers.
"It is therefore brilliant to see the Birmingham Westside Metro extension reach this key milestone, whilst our other extensions to the East of Birmingham and from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill in the Black Country continue at pace as part of my transport plan for the West Midlands.
"It was great to be able to speak to the construction team to congratulate them for their hard work during these difficult times, and I am sure we will have many more metro milestones to celebrate in the coming months."
The route, along with three others, is being planned, designed and constructed by the Midland Metro Alliance on behalf of Transport for West Midlands – with work continuing throughout the pandemic.
When the route to Edgbaston opens in 2021, three new tram stops will connect passengers to Brindleyplace, Five Ways and Hagley Road.
