Metro extension to the Digbeth moves closer as utility diversions well-underway

A West Midlands Metro extension linking Digbeth with the city centre has moved a step forward with the much-anticipated light rail route now in the preliminary construction stage following approval by the Department of Transport earlier this year.The £227m Birmingham Eastside extension will help transform and support the regeneration of Digbeth through improving connectivity and making the most out of HS2. The 1.7km extension will run from Bull Street, in the city centre, to Digbeth, adding four new tram stops to the Metro network.More than half of the route is planned to be free of overhead wires, similar to the recently opened extension from Grand Central to Centenary Square, and construction for the project includes urban realm upgrades for Digbeth High Street ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.Metro extension to the Digbeth moves closer as utility diversions well-underwayMayor of the West Midlands Andy Street, joined by James Betjemann, Head of Curzon and Enterprise Zone Development at Birmingham City Council, Matthew Rhodes, Board Director, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and workers at the alliance to mark the utility diversions well underway in Digbeth for the Birmingham Eastside Metro extensionThe extension was made possible following confirmation of funding from the Department for Transport, which has been topped up with prudential borrowing and a £15 million grant from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) to fund improvements to Digbeth High Street.Today, Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street joined representatives from Birmingham City Council, Midland Metro Alliance and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) at New Bartholomew Street in Digbeth to witness the work taking place first hand as an existing water main beneath the city’s streets is upgraded and future-proofed ahead, benefiting both Metro and HS2 main works.Beginning earlier in the autumn, the Midland Metro Alliance, working on behalf of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) have been busy assessing, upgrading and diverting existing utilities along Lower Bull Street, Digbeth High Street and High Street Deritend. The activities, most of which have been taking place overnight to limit disruption to pedestrians and the travelling public, are underway alongside detailed design work for the landmark light rail scheme.The Midland Metro Alliance, the organisation planning, designing and constructing the tramway, has been keeping those in the local area informed of these recent activities via their dedicated Engagement Team. Further information for stakeholders and the travelling public will be shared in coming weeks as these key preliminary works ramp-up across the city centre and the east of Birmingham.Due to the complexity of the parallel work at the HS2 Curzon Street Station, discussions are currently underway to determine a suitable opening date that would benefit all parties. Transport for West Midlands will continue to work with HS2 and partners to complete the line as soon as possible.The project forms the first part of the proposed East Birmingham to Solihull extension which will take the line further east through Bordesley Green and Chelmsley Wood to Birmingham Airport, the NEC and the HS2 interchange station. More information on the project can be found by visiting www.metroalliance.co.uk