A major milestone has been achieved on the Birmingham Eastside Metro extension following the installation of the first section of track in Digbeth. A total of 45 metres of double track is now in place between Meriden Street and Digbeth High Street, highlighting swift progress since the construction team fully returned to site last month.
(Permalink) Birmingham Eastside Metro Digbeth Midland Metro

Plans for a £200m extension to the Midland Metro light rail system from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill have been handed to Britain's secretary of state for transport, Mr Chris Grayling.

The business case for the 11.2km extension was presented by the mayor of the West Midlands, Mr Andy Street, and Ms Laura Shoaf, managing director of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), at the House of Commons.

The line will run from Wednesbury, on the existing Birmingham - Wolverhampton route, to Brierley Hill, serving Great Bridge, Horseley Heath, Dudley Port, Dudley town centre, the Waterfront and Merry Hill.

This extension is part of a larger plan to extend the system, which also includes a proposed extension to Wolverhampton interchange and the planned HS2 terminal at Curzon Street in Birmingham.
(Permalink) Birmingham Curzon Street Chris Grayling Midland Metro

National Express is set to sell its last British rail franchise to the Italian state operator FS.
Trenitalia, part of FS Italiane Group, will acquire the c2c franchise for some £70 million, yielding a 'small net profit' for the Group. The deal is subject to the consent of the Department for Transport, and existing c2c management and staff are to be retained.
It will also mark the exit of National Express from the franchised rail sector in Britain, although it still has the concession to operate Midland Metro trams. At one time National Express held the largest number of franchises, which included ScotRail, Midland Mainline and Central Trains.
(Permalink) Midland Mainline Midland Metro National Express ScotRail Trenitalia c2c