Watch: West Midland Metro trams return to Broad Street and run to Edgbaston Village

Tram services on the new West Midlands Metro extension from Centenary Square Library to Edgbaston Five Ways are up and running - six months later than planned

The new and revitalised trams are now trundling along Broad Street enabling passengers to travel right across the city by tram.

Pre covid, passenger numbers across the network peaked at 8.3 million in 2019 and numbers are expected to rise significantly with new stops along the way at Brindleyplace, Five Ways and the end of the line - at what is now called Edgbaston Village (or Morrisons!) - and travelling past popular venues including the ICC, Symphony Hall and the hotels, pubs and clubs along Broad Street.

How the tram extension is benefiting business and residents - and can help you avoid the Clean Air Zone

Significant numbers of businesses at Five Ways will have greater connectivity due to the extended metro. It should also benefit residents of the soon-to-be finished apartments across town as car parking facilities are limited.

It also operates outside the Clean Air Zone, giving people with vehicles suject to a charge the option to either leave their car at home, or park up and hop on a stop to take them into Birmingham city centre. It also links up with bus routes across the city, including the stops at Five Ways.

The extension is opened in time for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and will offer the many visitors arriving in the city over the next few weeks a convenient and frequent service to the many hotels, hospitality businesses and entertainment venues in the area.

What next for the return of the trams?

Recent cracks found on trams damaged not only the vehicles but also the reputation of the metro. But Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, is confident the metro is going to be successful and has outlined plans which will see the extended metro serve over 80 tram stops, more than 20 transport interchanges and link Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Dudley, Brierley Hill, Digbeth, North Solihull, Birmingham Airport, the NEC and HS2.

For now Andy is relived and pleased that the long-awaited extension along Birmingham’s Golden Mile has opened for the benefit of the citizens of the West Midlands and also for the 1.2 million visitors expected over the next few weeks.

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