West Midlands Metro Tracklaying in Brum

[The Stationmaster]

In other words they're hoping someone else will pay for it

[Robert Shrives]

Hi ,

Today emailed both what is left of Centro and the new authority for some form of response to this seemingly farcical issue.  At variance to previous stories from the authorities when the old station stop was moved and some info from LM - need to check what was actually said. I agree they would now want some one else to pay for It !

 

Robert       

[melmerby]

Hi ,

Today emailed both what is left of Centro and the new authority for some form of response to this seemingly farcical issue.  At variance to previous stories from the authorities when the old station stop was moved and some info from LM - need to check what was actually said. I agree they would now want some one else to pay for It !

 

Robert       

The solution is simple and reasonably cost effective:

Open up an entrance into the third arch which can then be accessed, by the stairs currently being built, from the Tram Stop

There is already an entrance to the two island platforms from the Livery Street end so I can't see why the other end cannot be opened up as well.

 

I did contact them about this option but didn't get a reply!

 

Keith

[Alan J Kirkman]

Initially Cento wanted a stop at the top pf the Grass Ramp at Snow Hill but the developers of Snow Hill One Office block absolutely vetoed it. Since the line opened to Bull St they have changed their Minds! Too late of course. Snow Hill Two development and the access issue at Great Charles St remain in progress, as doe the whole question of reinstatement of Platform 4 at Snow Hill and so access to the station. Do remember there are interchange stops at Jewellery Quarter and  The Hawthorns with the Snow Hill line rail services at least the Local Centro sponsored ones! And some Chiltern ones start at Moor St anyway.

[Robert Shrives]

 Hi all, this little ditty in repsonse to my bit of a broadside at Centro et al:

 

As part of the extension to Metro through Birmingham City Centre, the Snow Hill Tram Stop has been relocated to the newly-built Great Charles Street Bridge. This stop can be access via Colmore Row leading to the Ballymore development, or the soon to be completed lift and stair tower off Lionel Street. Surrounding the new lift and stair tower will be a pedestrian forecourt. New signage will be installed on the tram stop platform and in the forecourt directing pedestrians to Snow Hill Station and the wider city.

 

There are plans to construct a third entrance into Snow Hill Station that would be located next to the lift and stair tower. This would provide similar access to Snow Hill Station as per the second entrance on Livery Street. These works have been deferred for two reasons, the first being that the area will still be used as a site compound for the construction of the Centenary Square Extension, and secondly, the full redevelopment of the area is subject to review.

 

Thank you for contacting Transport for West Midlands and I hope that you find this information helpful

Kind regards

 

Peter Markham 

Customer Relations Officer 

 

 

This makes for good reading as second paragraph is how I understood from Day one of the extension scheme. Like all good things we will have to wait a while but at least the nonsense is solved for now

Robert.   

[melmerby]

 

 Hi all, this little ditty in repsonse to my bit of a broadside at Centro et al:

 

As part of the extension to Metro through Birmingham City Centre, the Snow Hill Tram Stop has been relocated to the newly-built Great Charles Street Bridge. This stop can be access via Colmore Row leading to the Ballymore development, or the soon to be completed lift and stair tower off Lionel Street. Surrounding the new lift and stair tower will be a pedestrian forecourt. New signage will be installed on the tram stop platform and in the forecourt directing pedestrians to Snow Hill Station and the wider city.

 

There are plans to construct a third entrance into Snow Hill Station that would be located next to the lift and stair tower. This would provide similar access to Snow Hill Station as per the second entrance on Livery Street. These works have been deferred for two reasons, the first being that the area will still be used as a site compound for the construction of the Centenary Square Extension, and secondly, the full redevelopment of the area is subject to review.

 

Thank you for contacting Transport for West Midlands and I hope that you find this information helpful

Kind regards

 

Peter Markham 

Customer Relations Officer 

 

 

This makes for good reading as second paragraph is how I understood from Day one of the extension scheme. Like all good things we will have to wait a while but at least the nonsense is solved for now

Robert.   

 

I wish they would come up with a consistent story

Just last month I was told by them there were no plans to connect to the mainline station.

 

I then asked why not connect to the current entrance from the opposite end of the arch next to the lift and stairs.

I got no reply to that!

 

Keith

 

BTW they now go under the grand title of "Transport for the West Midlands" (TfWM)

Edited September 20, 2016 by melmerby

[melmerby]

Today I took three shots of the progress of the new access to St. Chads Circus from the Snow Hill tram stop which taken shape:

 

 

The staircase will decend at the RH side of the lift shaft.

The prefabricated steel stairs were lying on the ground below waiting to be fitted.

 

Something I noticed today was that the pre-recorded announcements about tram times and destinations refer to the stops as "platforms".

e.g. "The next tram on platform two is the 13:45 to Wolverhampton"

 

It sounds a bit odd when you are on a street section!

 

 

After I had taken the photographs I was approached by an elderly couple who wanted to know how to get into the railway station.

They said last time they did the journey they arrived inside the station but couldn't see how to do it now!

I explained that if you alight at Snow Hill you have quite a walk around to the front of the railway station alongside the office blocks and it is nearer if you get off the next stop.

 

Obviously the message about alighting in Bull St. for Snow Hill isn't getting across

 

Keith

Edited September 22, 2016 by melmerby

[Edwin_m]

It's a bit like the pre-1977 Underground where Trafalgar Square and Strand stations were the closest to Charing Cross, and if you alighted at Charing Cross you would be close to the station but far from the entrance! 

[dcroz]

From today's Birmingham Post:

 

Midland Metro tram stop given a new name
Complaints from confused tram passengers prompts transport bosses to consider name change

 

http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/regional-affairs/midland-metro-tram-stop-been-11924923

 

 

The name of a stop on Birmingham’s city centre tram line is to change because of complaints from confused passengers. The Snow Hill stop on the Midland Metro will become St Chad’s from January in order to distinguish it from the railway station of the same name.

 

Transport for West Midlands said having the same name was causing confusion for people who incorrectly thought they could access the train station directly once alighting the tram there. Midland Metro’s service between Wolverhampton and Birmingham previously terminated at Snow Hill but an extension down to New Street station opened in May, adding stops in Bull Street and Corporation Street.

 

A spokesman for Transport for West Midlands said: “As part of planned improvements at Snow Hill rail and Midland Metro interchange, it is proposed to rename the current metro stop Snow Hill to St Chad’s from January 2017. “At present, the name Snow Hill is misleading some passengers who anticipate they can access the railway station from the metro stop. This has led to a number of complaints. “As part of the changes, Bull Street stop, which provides level access to Snow Hill and has an aesthetically attractive walking route, will be the primary metro stop promoted as the interchange for Snow Hill rail station. “The renamed St Chad’s will remain an alternative interchange and will be signed accordingly.”

Edited October 4, 2016 by dcroz

[dcroz]

From yesterday's Express and Star:

 

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/transport-news/2016/10/03/midland-metro-extension-work-across-the-black-country-will-begin-next-year/

 

Multi-million pound plans for a Midland Metro extension link from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill ‘will start’ next year, according to a council chief.

The scheme, which has been in the pipeline for nearly two decades, finally looks set to get off the ground after gaining Government backing. West Midlands Combined Authority bosses have said the Metro extension is set to be the first project completed as part of the region’s devolution deal. The extension runs for around seven miles from the existing line at Wednesbury to Great Bridge. Under plans it would continue to Horseley Heath, Dudley Port, Dudley town centre, the Waterfront and Merry Hill, before terminating at Brierley Hill town centre.

 

Business leaders have hailed its potential impact on the region’s economy. Dudley Council chief executive Sarah Norman tweeted: “Good progress on Brierley Hill Metro reported at @WestMids_CA Board Meeting. “Will start in 2017 & be first Devo deal scheme completed.” Black Country LEP board member Ninder Johal said: “For too long this region - and other parts of the UK – have been blighted by poor infrastructure. “If we’re going to continue to attract inward investment then infrastructure is the number one priority. “The formation of the West Midlands Combined Authority and the devolved funding it will bring will hopefully bring much improved infrastructure. “The extension from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill is an example of that and also ties in with the extra investment into the Merry Hill shopping centre by intu.”

 

Dudley Council’s Conservative group leader Patrick Harley said the move was a statement of intent by the Combined Authority. “This is something people have been talking about as a pipe dream for about 20 years,” he said. “If we can get this done and people can see the construction, preparation and clearing of sites for tracks as quickly as 12 months’ time it will give them confidence in the merits of the combined authority. “If one of the benefits is the Metro link and that’s one of the first achievements it will give people the belief [the combined authority] isn’t just a Birmingham initiative.”

Edited October 4, 2016 by dcroz

[dcroz]

Lots of positive news about the Midland Metro's extensions this week:

 

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/transport-news/2016/10/07/midland-metro-new-milestone-for-137m-birmingham-hs2-tram-extension/

 

Midland Metro: New milestone for £137m Birmingham HS2 tram extension plan - Plans to extend the Midland Metro through Birmingham city centre in a £137 million project have reached a new milestone

 

An artist’s impression of the Midland Metro in Curzon Street by Millennium Point on the Birmingham Eastside extension

 

A formal application has been submitted by the Midland Metro Alliance to build and operate the Birmingham Eastside extension from Bull Street to Digbeth. If granted, the order will allow work to start on the 1.05 mile – 1.7km – extension which will serve the proposed HS2 station at Curzon Street offering connections to New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill train stations. Work is due to begin in 2019 and the line to open in 2023. The scheme will cost £137.2m. As well as linking all of the city centre railway stations, it will mean easy access to Birmingham coach station and to bus routes to the south east of the city centre.
 

Councillor Roger Lawrence, lead member for transport on the West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “The Birmingham Eastside extension will provide a direct high-quality link between the significant areas of commercial and leisure activity to the east of the city centre and the Jewellery Quarter and the Black Country.” The route will start at the junction of Bull Street and Corporation Street and run along Lower Bull Street past the southern edge of the proposed Martineau Galleries re-development to Albert Street. It will then cross Moor Street Queensway towards Curzon Street and continue to Meriden Street and turning left onto Digbeth High Street. There will be four stops on the route.
 

The Midland Metro runs between Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton city centre, serving stops including the Jewellery Quarter, West Bromwich, Wednesbury and Bilston. Work is now underway extending the route from New Street to Centenary Square, with services expected to start running in 2019. Funding has also been earmarked for the line to go further along Broad Street, past Five Ways and on to Edgbaston by 2021. In Wolverhampton work has begun on the city centre extension, with completion scheduled for 2019. A route linking Wednesbury to Brierley Hill is also being developed and work on this could start as early as next year.

Edited October 7, 2016 by dcroz

[JJGraphics]

Lots of positive news about the Midland Metro's extensions this week:

 

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/transport-news/2016/10/07/midland-metro-new-milestone-for-137m-birmingham-hs2-tram-extension/

 

Midland Metro: New milestone for £137m Birmingham HS2 tram extension plan - Plans to extend the Midland Metro through Birmingham city centre in a £137 million project have reached a new milestone

 

An artist’s impression of the Midland Metro in Curzon Street by Millennium Point on the Birmingham Eastside extension

 

 

A formal application has been submitted by the Midland Metro Alliance to build and operate the Birmingham Eastside extension from Bull Street to Digbeth. If granted, the order will allow work to start on the 1.05 mile – 1.7km – extension which will serve the proposed HS2 station at Curzon Street offering connections to New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill train stations. Work is due to begin in 2019 and the line to open in 2023. The scheme will cost £137.2m. As well as linking all of the city centre railway stations, it will mean easy access to Birmingham coach station and to bus routes to the south east of the city centre.

 

Councillor Roger Lawrence, lead member for transport on the West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “The Birmingham Eastside extension will provide a direct high-quality link between the significant areas of commercial and leisure activity to the east of the city centre and the Jewellery Quarter and the Black Country.” The route will start at the junction of Bull Street and Corporation Street and run along Lower Bull Street past the southern edge of the proposed Martineau Galleries re-development to Albert Street. It will then cross Moor Street Queensway towards Curzon Street and continue to Meriden Street and turning left onto Digbeth High Street. There will be four stops on the route.

 

The Midland Metro runs between Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton city centre, serving stops including the Jewellery Quarter, West Bromwich, Wednesbury and Bilston. Work is now underway extending the route from New Street to Centenary Square, with services expected to start running in 2019. Funding has also been earmarked for the line to go further along Broad Street, past Five Ways and on to Edgbaston by 2021. In Wolverhampton work has begun on the city centre extension, with completion scheduled for 2019. A route linking Wednesbury to Brierley Hill is also being developed and work on this could start as early as next year.

 

 

Looks like "inside-out" rails again on the artists' impression!

[Christopher125]

It should be noted that construction proper won't begin on Brierley Hill-Wednesbury until 2021.

 

There's much more detail of the metro extensions in the (large pdf) document for the October meeting of the WMCA's transport delivery committee

 

See page 85 onwards for the 'Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Extension', and page 95 for a table showing the delivery schedule for the various extension.

[dcroz]

Metro work to begin on the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Route

 

Latest news on the Midland Metro Alliance website:

 

http://www.metroalliance.co.uk/metro-work-to-begin-on-the-wednesbury-to-brierley-hill-route/

 

 

Work to progress the proposed extension of the Midland Metro from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill is due to commence this week. The Midland Metro Alliance (MMA), working on behalf of West Midlands Combined Authority, will begin to clear vegetation from overgrown areas of the disused former South Staffordshire Railway line in order to carry out comprehensive structural and environmental surveys. 

It is anticipated that the construction of the route will begin during 2019 and that the route will open for passenger service in 2023.

 

The vegetation clearance process should take approximately two weeks and any disruption will be minimised where possible. All residents and businesses who may be directly affected by the works have been informed that the works are taking place. For further information, please visit the Midland Metro Alliance website: www.metroalliance.co.uk or email: communications@metroalliance.co.uk.

 

Councillor Roger Lawrence, lead member for transport for the West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “Whilst this is not the formal start of work on the extension it is the first step towards it. There is a lot of work still to be done but once it is complete the Black Country and wider region will reap the economic rewards of having an extended modern tram system running through it.” Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise for Dudley Council, said: “We’ve been working hard with partners to make this project happen as we are set to benefit significantly when the Metro rolls in. The improved transport links will create huge opportunities for jobs and tourism in the area. Therefore it’s great to see the project moving in the right direction and a commitment from all involved.”

 

Alejandro Moreno, Midland Metro Alliance Director, said: “We are very excited to begin work on this key route but before we can begin construction, we do need to carry out some preparatory work in order to decide what further works are required to prepare for construction.” Stuart Everton, Black Country Director of Transport, added: “The start of construction of the line between Wednesbury and Brierley Hill is excellent news for the local economy, and will provide a significant boost to our regeneration plans for the region. It will also provide benefits to residents across the region by making it easier for them to get to jobs, and the national and international rail network.”

Edited January 20, 2017 by dcroz

[big jim]

Yet another sat nav failure...

 

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/commuters-delayed-after-lorry-blocks-12530937

[melmerby]

Yet another sat nav failure...

 

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/commuters-delayed-after-lorry-blocks-12530937

 

More like brain failure.

How on earth did the dozy twonk end up there?

 

Must have gone through here:

https://goo.gl/maps/TjXQoXhq1qE2

 

Keith

Edited January 31, 2017 by melmerby

[TheSignalEngineer]

More like brain failure.

How on earth did the dozy twonk end up there?

 

Must have gone through here:

https://goo.gl/maps/TjXQoXhq1qE2

 

Keith

Taking a step backwards along the road he would probably have seen this, albeit in the dark

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.4828556,-1.897376,3a,75y,326.99h,68.88t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTHKuKwwLduRkCYpFQ6eQOQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

 

Ahead Only painted on the road and Traffic Signals with straight ahead arrows. 

Edited January 31, 2017 by TheSignalEngineer

[melmerby]

Taking a step backwards along the road he would probably have seen this, albeit in the dark

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.4828556,-1.897376,3a,75y,326.99h,68.88t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTHKuKwwLduRkCYpFQ6eQOQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

 

Ahead Only painted on the road and Traffic Signals with straight ahead arrows. 

I would have thought it much more dificult to turn onto the tram tracks rather than stay on the road?

 

Keith

[rue_d_etropal]

would he have not seen those bollards, oe did he just drive through/over them without realising. As a matter of interst how did that van get there, presume there is anotther road round the back.

[Robert Shrives]

Well another fine mess Stanley ! Happened 06.00 appx - with police looking for driver who had "disappeared."  It was still there 09.26 when I went to work but BBC Midlands had reported via video that it was being winched back to the hard surface paviours about 100yards back - large winch fitted recovery vehicle on site.

 

Second vehicle to do this- I think a rails only moat section required to keep these folks at bay. Load looks to be crane weights and he almost got to site albeit wrongside of Snow Hill 1 and 2 office lumps. Works access at junction with Snow Hill Queensway and St Chads crossings( formerly circus.)    

 

The idyllic grass and tram rails portion is now just a muddy mess.    You could swing for some of these people !!! 

Tomorrow is luckily another day !

Robert 

[melmerby]

 As a matter of interst how did that van get there, presume there is anotther road round the back.

I think they can be removed for access as this is the only way in to that point.

(BTW the van might just go between them)

 

Keith

[rue_d_etropal]

I think they can be removed for access as this is the only way in to that point.

(BTW the van might just go between them)

 

Keith

that is what I thought, possibly might be wide enough for an ambulance as well. Then how did the lorry get through?

[Edwin_m]

The trams are 2.65m wide and add a couple of hundred mm for clearance to the bollards.  But the line of bollards is at an angle to the tramline so if the van went through perpendicular to the bollards it would have even more width. 

[melmerby]

The trams are 2.65m wide and add a couple of hundred mm for clearance to the bollards.  But the line of bollards is at an angle to the tramline so if the van went through perpendicular to the bollards it would have even more width. 

Which is about 8' 8". In that case so would the artic but it would need to be square to the bollards which quite obviously is impossible with a long vehicle.

I assume it just went over them!

 

Keith

 

(EDIT maximum width of a truck is 2.55mm

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-goods-by-road

Just enough clearance if straight)

Edited February 1, 2017 by melmerby

[rue_d_etropal]

Which is about 8' 8". In that case so would the artic but it would need to be square to the bollards which quite obviously is impossible with a long vehicle.

I assume it just went over them!

 

Keith

 

(EDIT maximum width of a truck is 2.55mm

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-goods-by-road

Just enough clearance if straight)

that means that the driver should have noticed he was not on the road!