First phase of Metro trackwork completed on Moor Street Queensway

The first phase of trackwork has been successfully completed on Moor Street Queensway as works that will pave the way for the partial opening of the Birmingham Eastside extension gathers pace.

The tram tracks for the highly anticipated route have been extended from Lower Bull Street, through Dale End, Albert Street and into Moor Street Queensway where a total of 315m of double rail is now in place. 

The team have moved their efforts to the other side of the carriageway to begin works on the second half of the tramway in this area and time-lapse footage has been released of the latest progress.

Spades hit the ground along the dual carriageway earlier this year and the Midland Metro Alliance, working on behalf of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), has started to make considerable headway in completing works in Moor Street Queensway with preliminary activities, including the removal of the road surface and works to upgrade and divert underground utilities, now underway for the second phase of construction here.

The new track will eventually lead to a temporary tram stop outside of the Clayton Hotel, allowing passengers to use this section of the route as early as 2025/26.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The news that the extension is taking shape will be welcomed by city centre businesses and commuters – we all want to see this Metro extension up and running as soon as possible. When complete the temporary stop will make a huge difference for visitors to Millenium Point and Birmingham City University – as well as offer a better link to rail services at Moor Street Station. This investment in public transport will help us tackle the traffic congestion which blights our towns and cities, improve our air quality and meet the climate change challenge.”

This phase of construction along Moor Street Queensway is expected to be completed in the autumn with buses that were relocated to allow the works to get underway set to return shortly after.

The recent progress follows the completion of main construction along Lower Bull Street and Digbeth High Street including street scene improvements which have helped transform both areas.

Maria Ion, Project Director, said: “It’s always rewarding to mark a major milestone on this project and I am thrilled to see the first half of tracks now in place into Moor Street Queensway. The team continue to work extremely hard to deliver this extension and I am sure that those in the area are excited to see the continued progress.”

The Birmingham Eastside Metro extension will run from Bull Street, in the city centre, to Digbeth, adding additional tram stops to the Metro network as well as a new bus interchange in the Moor Street area. More than half of the 1.7km route is planned to be free of overhead wires, similar to elements of the extensions from Grand Central to Edgbaston Village.