Trams have begun operating through Birmingham city centre for the first time in more than 60 years.
A new stop opened on Bull Street on December 6 – the first phase of a £128 million extension to the redeveloped New Street station.
The full 1.2-kilometre extension won’t open until 2016 after the authority delivering the project chose to scale back work over Christmas.
The New Street extension is one of several that will open in the city over the next few years. By 2019, the Midland Metro will be extended beyond New Street to Centenary Square. Funding is also in place to take the light system to Edgbaston.
Councillor John McNicholas, chair of the ITA’s Transport Delivery Committee which oversees Centro, said: “We will see £1.2 billion invested in public transport over the next 10 years.
“This will mean important new Metro links in Wolverhampton as well as Edgbaston and to Brierley Hill.
“Passengers will also be able to get straight to the High Speed 2 rail stations in Birmingham and the NEC/Airport by 2026. This is fantastic news for the region.”
