Credit: Clare Louise Jackson, Shutterstock
In a successful overnight track test (Wednesday, August 6), trams have finally reached Millennium Point. This is the first time trams have run down Lower Bull Street, Albert Street and across Moor Street Queensway before stopping at a temporary terminus next to the Eastside City Park.
It’s just the first part of a new tram extension to Birmingham City FC’s forthcoming 60,000 seater stadium. But the Eastside extension adds two stops, offering passengers easy access to key destinations like the Clayton Hotel and Birmingham City University campus, while work continues towards Digbeth Coach Station.
It also offers a direct tram link for the almost 400,000 bus passengers a week who use services at the busy Moor Street bus interchange. The Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, has earmarked £400m to build the tram extension to the new stadium and the surrounding Sports Quarter.
What happens now? 
Credit: WMCA
Late-night tram runs will continue over the next few weeks as Midland Metro Alliance engineers fully test the line. The route will then be handed over to West Midlands Metro for driver training and timetable testing. Passenger services will start in the autumn.
Local businesses have been informed of the tram testing, and a public safety campaign has been launched to warn people of the new trams. The track has already been completed in Digbeth, and construction work is shortly due to commence on the next section on Meriden Street before joining the tracks together on the Curzon Street Station site.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Our plan to extend the Metro network to East Birmingham and Solihull is crucial to unlocking the £3 billion private sector investment in our new Sports Quarter, which in turn will create huge opportunities for communities that have been held back for too long.
“These successful tests show how close we are to opening up new, reliable tram links to this part of Birmingham City Centre. Soon it will be easier for everyone to get around – whether they are commuting to work, heading to class or travelling further afield by connecting to rail and bus services.
“Expanding the tram network is a crucial enabler for my Growth Plan. It’s about more than just transport; it’s about connecting people to the businesses and education opportunities that will drive our region forward.”