City centre Metro extension to open at Easter

Tram services are to begin running to new stops in Birmingham from Easter Sunday, marking the first phase of a major expansion of the city's tram network.

The West Midlands Metro extension to Millennium Point will add two new stops and improve links across the east of the city centre.

The extended service will provide easier access to destinations including Millennium Point, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, Birmingham City University and Moor Street Station.

Transport officials said the new Albert Street stop would also improve connections for thousands of passengers using the nearby bus interchange.

The route is part of a wider programme to expand the Metro tram network further east, with work already started to extend the line to Digbeth.

Longer term plans include routes towards a proposed new stadium for Birmingham City FC and connections to Birmingham Airport.

Sandeep Shingadia from Transport for West Midlands said the extension would help connect people to jobs, education and leisure.

He said it was "just the beginning of a much wider transformation" aimed at making travel easier and supporting economic growth.

Services on the new section are expected to run every 15 minutes, with some existing trams diverted to serve the additional stops.

Sophie Allison, managing director of West Midlands Metro, said the opening marked another milestone for the network that would benefit both passengers and businesses.

Birmingham City Council said the extension would improve access to the Knowledge Quarter and support further regeneration in Eastside.

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