Building
construction midland metro
Centro-WMPTA - Metro bridges link with Birmingham city centre
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.
Email:
babscoombes@centro.org.uk