Construction has started on the foundations of a lift tower as part of preparatory works for a Snow Hill passenger stop.

The work, which is being carried out by contractor Balfour Beatty on behalf of project partners Centro, the region’s transport authority, and Birmingham City Council, marks the start of material operations for an extension of the Midland Metro through Birmingham city centre.

Watching the concrete footings go in were Centro chief executive Geoff Inskip  and Cllr Angus Adams, Lead Member on Centro for District Liaison and Metro Extensions.

Geoff said: “This work forms part of the advance works programme as set out in the initial funding approval from Government in March.

“The Metro extension has a very strong business case offering good value for money and will also feed into future high speed rail services which all political parties have pledged to support.”

Centro chief executive Geoff Inskip (left) and Cllr Angus Adams, Centro's lead member for District Liaison and Metro, inspect the footings.