The Midland Metro Alliance started work on the Eastside Metro Extension from Bull Street (at Corporation Street) to Digbeth, via the HS2 station site, during July 2021.

Roadworks are taking place on Lower Bull Street, including the Delta Junction at Corporation Street (which has been closed from July to October 2021 for replacing the tracks). They are also doing roadworks in Digbeth and High Street Deritend (near Birmingham Coach Station, the Custard Factory and The Old Crown).

There is plans for four new tram stops at Albert Street, HS2 Interchange, Meriden Street and Digbeth High Street. This new extension for West Midlands Metro could be opened by 2025?

 

Lower Bull Street

All bus routes that used lower Bull Street were moved to other bus stops, with the closure of lower Bull Street by the Midland Metro Alliance from June 2021.

 

14th June 2021

Lower Bull Street from High Street near Dale End. Bus routes for Perry Barr and Walsall had their bus stops moved to Carrs Lane. Other bus routes were rerouted and moved as well.

Eastside Metro Extension on lower Bull Street (June 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

25th July 2021

The original extension closed from the lower half of Upper Bull Street (Bull Street Tram Stop is now the temporary terminus again), down Corporation Street and Stephenson Street (all trams stops to Library are closed). Tracks being relayed for 11 weeks, with a target date of October 2021, while the Midland Metro Alliance build a Delta Junction at lower Bull Street.

Delta Junction site from upper Bull Street (July 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

16th August 2021

Mobile crane at the Delta Junction site near lower Bull Street. Track relaying on Corporation Street is 3 weeks in, with 8 weeks to go.

Eastside Metro Extension on lower Bull Street (August 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Digbeth

In Digbeth, the Midland Metro Alliance have been removing the old central reservation, between Meriden Street and The Old Crown. Traffic has still been using the parts of the road that is open. Various junctions to side roads have been closed.

17th April 2021

Preparatory work on High Street Deritend outside of Devonshire House, home of Zellig and the Custard Factory.

Eastside Metro Extension near the Custard Factory (April 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

10th May 2021

The preparatory roadworks continued in Digbeth during May 2021, the main works wouldn't start until July.

Eastside Metro Extension in Digbeth (May 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

13th June 2021

The pavements outside of the Custard Factory and Connaught Square get dug up to move pipes about a month before the main works begins. The central reservation hadn't been touched, apart from in minor sections at this point.

Eastside Metro Extension in Digbeth near the Custard Factory (June 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

8th July 2021

The side road from Digbeth to Moat Lane was reopened for the first time in years, while the side roads to Rea Street, Alcester Street, etc were closed. This meant certain bus routes, such as the 50 had to be diverted via Upper Dean Street, Pershore Street and Barford Street.

Eastside Metro Extension in Digbeth (July 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

16th August 2021

Most of the central reservation was knocked down during July and August 2021. On Monday 16th August 2021, the Midland Metro Alliance closed the southbound lanes of Digbeth and High Street Deritend, moving the southbound traffic to a former northbound lane close to Birmingham Coach Station. The traffic eventually switches back after The Old Crown.

Eastside Metro Extension in Digbeth (August 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

More information from the Midland Metro Alliance

Birmingham Eastside Extension