Birmingham Eastside Metro extension set for temporary terminus whilst HS2 work is completed

Transport bosses in the West Midlands are set to approve a temporary Metro terminus next to Moor Street Queensway in Birmingham.

This will result in the earlier delivery of tram services to the east of Birmingham city centre, with the new stop and terminus due to open in 2025/6.  Opening the full line to Digbeth has been delayed since work to construct the tram track through Curzon Street Station cannot begin until the site has been handed over by HS2, something now not expected before 2026 at the earliest.

The new facility will provide a seamless interchange between tram, train and bus services at Moor Street Station and the Bus Mall.  The stop will also serve Birmingham City University and Millennium Point.  By the time the interchange opens, West Midland Metro trams will be running along a new extension into Dudley town centre.

The project, designed and delivered by the Midland Metro Alliance (MMA) on behalf of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), is already making considerable progress.  The delta junction at Lower Bull Street was handed over to TfWM last month and it is expected that the section along Digbeth High Street will be completed before the end of the year.  Buildings have already been demolished and preliminary works are taking place on the third section between Dale End, crossing Moor Street Queensway and on to Park Street, the location of the temporary terminus.  There will also be a temporary stop outside the Clayton Hotel.  Additional infrastructure will allow trams to switch tracks at the terminus.

The WMCA Board is due to meet on Friday when it will be asked to approve a £18m increase to the project's £227 million budget to complete the terminus.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “Despite ongoing HS2 works at Curzon Street hampering our ability to finish the full Eastside extension until Metro is able to get on-site at Curzon Street, I tasked transport officials with finding a way to get trams running sooner.

“That's why I'm delighted we've found an innovative solution to part-opening the Eastside metro extension – with this stop at the Clayton Hotel enabling local people and businesses to start benefitting sooner. This approach means trams will be running here in 2025/2026.

“Having recently opened the Wolverhampton city centre extension, we know just how popular these schemes are with the public – offering seamless connections to rail and bus services just as this extension will provide at Moor Street. As frustrating as the short-term hurdles can be, it's important to remember over the longer term what the final prize is – a vastly improved public transport system which will serve local people and businesses for many years ahead.”

Cllr Liz Clements, cabinet member for transport at Birmingham City Council, added: “Although the delay to the Eastside extension due to HS2 works is frustrating, this plan for a temporary terminus will allow people to make easy transfers from rail to bus and metro by the Clayton Hotel.

“Completing the full Eastside extension to High St Deritend remains a top priority for Birmingham. At Birmingham City Council we won't stop campaigning until the whole scheme is delivered.

“To reverse the reliance on private cars and encourage more people onto public transport, we need a fully integrated transport system – Birmingham Eastside extension is a vital part of that system.”