Construction work has started on a new viaduct which will carry Midland Metro past Snow Hill and into the heart of Birmingham city centre as part of the proposed Midland Metro extensions being developed by Centro-WMPTA.
The viaduct, estimated to cost £9m in Centro-WMPTA’s project business case, is a contribution from private developer Ballymore towards the £116m Birmingham City Centre Extension of the tram system in recognition of the importance of the scheme in improving the connectivity of the city.
The work forms part of Ballymore’s £500 million Snow Hill scheme which will eventually comprise 600,000 sq ft of high quality office accommodation in two distinctive buildings. More than 300 residential apartments are also proposed, together with a five star hotel and first class restaurants, cafes and retail space.
The viaduct will run at street level through the Snow Hill scheme and will carry the Midland Metro Line One extension into the city centre, serving Bull Street, Corporation Street, New Street Station and Broad Street with the terminus on the Hagley Road in Edgbaston.
The Ballymore scheme will also include construction of an urban pedestrian boulevard which will connect with a new pedestrian walkway situated between Snow Hill Station and the new buildings, providing safer pedestrian links between the city centre and the Jewellery and Gun Quarters.
Geoff Inskip, Chief Executive of the region’s public transport body Centro-WMPTA, which is developing the Metro extensions, says: “This major contribution from Ballymore shows how important the extension of the Midland Metro is to local businesses and developers.
“The frequent high-capacity trams will provide an enhanced service and a real boost to the accessibility of Birmingham city centre and the Black Country - with excellent links between shops, homes, offices, rail stations and major new developments. It will make a real impact on our campaign to cut congestion for everyone.”
Richard Probert, Development Manager for Ballymore’s Snow Hill scheme said: “We are delighted to be facilitating the extension of the Metro through Birmingham city centre. The fact that Metro will be immediately available to the staff of companies based at Snow Hill is a key feature of the accessibility and sustainability case of our scheme at Snow Hill.
“It is high time that Birmingham - like Manchester, Nottingham and other regional centres - had a high quality public transport tram route running through the city centre providing linkage between the western side of the city – all the way through to the Black Country.
“Ballymore shares Centro-WMPTA’s vision that the proposed extension of the Metro through Birmingham city centre will provide improved connectivity and economic benefits which will further enhance Birmingham’s ability to attract inward investment and help put Birmingham on the map as a world class city.”
The business case for the £386m Midland Metro Phase One extensions, which also includes a route in the Black Country from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill via Dudley, was submitted to Government last July.
Studies show the proposed lines will provide Birmingham and the West Midlands with an enhanced image, regeneration and economic benefits, including providing over 4,000 jobs and helping to reduce the congestion that is costing the region’s economy £2.2 billion a year.
