This is when West Midlands Metro tram services are due to return to Birmingham city centre

Tram services in the West Midlands are on course to return in phases.

Transport for West Midlands say repairs to fix the trams are currently ‘progressing well’ and it is likely the first metro service will return in a matter of weeks - at the end of May.

Although, it’s likely that the only service to resume at the end of the month will be the one between Bull street and Wolverhampton, with more to follow.

All metro services in the region were suspended for a third time in nine months in March, after cracks appeared on some of the older trams.

Due to the cracks, Midland Metro Limited is requiring the manufacturer CAF to replace the panels rather than repair the existing panels, meaning the service will be out of action for weeks.

A statament issued by West Midlands Metro last month (April), read: “We expect there to be a phased return to service.

“This will likely see an initial return of service between Bull Street and Wolverhampton, gradually increasing as more trams become available.”

What happened the last time the trams were suspended?

The network was initially suspended in June after minor cracks were found on the lines in the city centre during an inspection.

After the services partially resumed, cracks were again discovered in some trams on November 13, with permanent repairs required.

Since the summer, individual trams were taken out of service on a rota basis, and the full service only resumed in February.

But after discovering cracks on some of the older trams, Transport for West Midlands have decided to suspend all services again as a precautionary measure as of 20 March until further notice.

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