Digbeth and Eastside transport survey launched as regeneration works expands

Travel disruption is set to continue in Digbeth and Eastside as the next phase of the tram extension and Curzon Street Station development get underway.

Transport for West Midlands has launched a travel survey to help minimise the issues that the regeneration will cause to residents, businesses, visitors and students.

The regeneration works include improvements to Digbeth High Street to enable better access for pedestrians and cyclists.

TFWM said the regeneration work is aimed at making the area a better place to live, work, study and visit. It is also expected to drive additional private investment and development across the area - including the Smithfield site and Irish Quarter.

The latest phase of the transformation for HS2’s Curzon Street Station and West Midlands Metro tram extension is taking place around Moor Street Queensway, Digbeth High Street, Millennium Point and Eastside City Park.

The transport improvements are also planned to help WMCA achieve its ambition for the West Midlands to be net zero carbon by 2041.

What are the latest development plans around Digbeth and Eastside?

The tram line is being extended from Bull Street in the city centre to Digbeth due for completion by 2025.

Known officially as the Birmingham Eastside Metro extension, it will also see and pavements widened along Digbeth High Street to benefit pedestrians and cyclists. This is due for completion next Spring ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

The is costing £227m and will see four new tram stops to the Metro network. More than half of the 1.7km route is planned to be free of overhead wires, similar to the recently opened extension from Grand Central to Centenary Square.

The development at Curzon Street is set to facilitate HS2 with the high speed trains due to run between 2029 and 2033.

Latest information on the improvement works is available with Transport for West Midlands.

The Sprint bus priority corridor is also being introduced to the area - aimed at reducing traffic congestion and giving people and alternative to driving.

Who is carrying out the regeneration in Digbeth and Eastside?

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), is working in partnership with Birmingham City Council, Midland Metro Alliance and HS2 to plan the works and support those businesses and commuters impacted by them.

Anne Shaw, interim managing director for TfWM, explained that some of the regeneration work took place over the last year during lockdown with some road layouts and access routes now altered.

She said: “With such exciting and extensive development works taking place around Digbeth and Eastside over the next few years there will inevitably be disruption to travel.

“So to better plan for this and support commuters and businesses we would like to understand how people travel into these areas now and will do in the future and so I would urge people to take part in the survey.

“For our part TfWM will keep travellers updated with the latest information through our social media channels and website so they can plan ahead and allow good time for their journeys.”

 Those taking part in the survey can also register for regular updates on works and changes in the area.

Responses before September 20^th will be entered into a prize draw to win a £30 Amazon voucher.