Metro extension timescales.

[RW]

According to reports the Centenary Square Metro extension is planned to open in 2019 (4 years), dependant on several factors allowing it to proceed. Onward extension to Edgbaston does not have a timescale so far. The Wolverhampton extension to the station "could be open" in 2019 (4 years) and the HS2 extension "could be open" by 2022 (7 years). These are fairly long time scales which are by no means certain and, based on past metro development experience, could go even further into the future, so when the BCCE is actually opened later in 2015 it looks as though there will be a lull of at least a couple of years before any more rail is actually laid, if then! Thoughts?

[wembley86]

According to reports the Centenary Square Metro extension is planned to open in 2019 (4 years), dependant on several factors allowing it to proceed. Onward extension to Edgbaston does not have a timescale so far. The Wolverhampton extension to the station "could be open" in 2019 (4 years) and the HS2 extension "could be open" by 2022 (7 years). These are fairly long time scales which are by no means certain and, based on past metro development experience, could go even further into the future, so when the BCCE is actually opened later in 2015 it looks as though there will be a lull of at least a couple of years before any more rail is actually laid, if then! Thoughts?

Centro plans to start construction 2015 according to there website to co-inside with Paradise Redevelopment.

[Stevo]

If 2019 is correct it's very disappointing. I was hoping they'd just continue the line to Centenary Square when they'd finished the current extension. According to plans the line in Stephenson Street beyond Temple Street will become single track so that cars will empty at the New St station stop, run forward, then the driver will change ends and the car runs back into the other platform. If they are going to think about the extension that bit of track needs to be double. I wonder if they'll lay single and dig it up later or lay a double track with a crossover for reversals.

[wembley86]

If 2019 is correct it's very disappointing. I was hoping they'd just continue the line to Centenary Square when they'd finished the current extension. According to plans the line in Stephenson Street beyond Temple Street will become single track so that cars will empty at the New St station stop, run forward, then the driver will change ends and the car runs back into the other platform. If they are going to think about the extension that bit of track needs to be double. I wonder if they'll lay single and dig it up later or lay a double track with a crossover for reversals.

there is a crossover outside new st station.

[Stevo]

If 2019 is correct it's very disappointing. I was hoping they'd just continue the line to Centenary Square when they'd finished the current extension. According to plans the line in Stephenson Street beyond Temple Street will become single track so that cars will empty at the New St station stop, run forward, then the driver will change ends and the car runs back into the other platform. If they are going to think about the extension that bit of track needs to be double. I wonder if they'll lay single and dig it up later or lay a double track with a crossover for reversals.

there is a crossover outside new st station.


Yes, but it's at the wrong end. Trams would have to arrive and depart from the one platform, the one on the New Street station side. That may be the intention, of course. keeping the opposite platform out of use till the extension to Centenary Square comes into use.

[Isle of Stroma]

According to reports the Centenary Square Metro extension is planned to open in 2019 (4 years), dependant on several factors allowing it to proceed.

so when the BCCE is actually opened later in 2015 it looks as though there will be a lull of at least a couple of years before any more rail is actually laid, if then! Thoughts?

I wouldn't worry. On current progress, there's more chance of me becoming Pope than there is of trams running in service to New St this year.

There's even a part of me that would be surprised if the first bit's open by 2019!

[Tony]

According to reports the Centenary Square Metro extension is planned to open in 2019 (4 years), dependant on several factors allowing it to proceed.

so when the BCCE is actually opened later in 2015 it looks as though there will be a lull of at least a couple of years before any more rail is actually laid, if then! Thoughts?

I wouldn't worry. On current progress, there's more chance of me becoming Pope than there is of trams running in service to New St this year.

There's even a part of me that would be surprised if the first bit's open by 2019!

Looking at the progress made in 3 days this week, I wouldn't be surprised if all the track wasn't in situ by the end of March

[danny]

I agree with Tony, do not remember their being as much track laid in bull street as their is, and the line outside new street seems to be taking shape rather quickly.

[Isle of Stroma]

I wouldn't be surprised if all the track wasn't in situ by the end of March

Which March though, or wass that an intentional double negative Tony? ;)

[Tony]

I wouldn't be surprised if all the track wasn't in situ by the end of March

Which March though, or wass that an intentional double negative Tony? ;)

No Dave. On Monday they started on the Northbound track at the bottom of Corporation Street and by Wednesday they had all the ground ready to start putting the concrete base in. They also seem to be working quite fast on the southbound track from the Square Paeg around the corner into Corporation Street.

[Justin Tyme]

Yes - it's been like a great awakening this week.  Keep it up, guys!

[Isle of Stroma]

Mooching at some online pics tonight confirms that they have finally pulled their finger out in places. A completion date in September (coincidentally when the tarting up of New St station is due to finish, thus missing that milestone) is quoted, with commissioning scheduled until December.

Still reckon it will be next year though....

[Roy]

I understand that funding has now been secured for an extension as far as Hagley Road (just the other side of Five Ways).  Utility diversion work in Pinfold Street should also start shortly to allow them to build the section through Paradise Circus in conjunction with the redevelopment there.

[wembley86]

I understand that funding has now been secured for an extension as far as Hagley Road (just the other side of Five Ways).  Utility diversion work in Pinfold Street should also start shortly to allow them to build the section through Paradise Circus in conjunction with the redevelopment there.

Sprint should start to be built this summer, so prephaps the broad street works could also start at the same time at that end of the line before moving onto town hall and connecting to new street

[Stevo]

Sounds good, but in fact they've just removed the track on the curve from Stephenson Street to Stephenson Place - the rails had been welded to the crossover - and they've dug up the top surface on part of that crossover. As I posted earlier the curve as part laid didn't seem able to get round the corner and was heading for the ramp up to the Pallasades. On the constructive side they're now working on the section alongside Snow Hill Station.