June has brought significant discussion regarding the Digbeth tram extension. The owner of Norton's bar voiced frustration over ongoing roadworks and related neighborhood disruption, which has caused wider concern among local businesses and residents.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has apologized to Norton's for the disruption and pledged to complete the stretch near the bar by the end of June. However, even if tracks are fully laid in Digbeth, passengers will not be able to ride from the city centre until work on the section near the new High Speed 2 (HS2) station at Curzon Street is finished.
Eventually, the extension will include 1.7km of twin track from Bull Street to the Deritend terminus, featuring four new stops. TfWM has not yet provided an exact timeline for completion, stating that dates will be shared when the project is closer to completion.
A spokesperson said: “We continue to work closely with HS2 on securing access to Curzon Street Station and expect to be on site towards the end of this year to begin work to complete the Metro extension to Digbeth.”
While the HS2 area is technically section three of five sections, it is worth noting that the sections are not being completed in numerical order. The first two sections, which take passengers to Millennium Point, opened on Easter Sunday, serving Moor Street, the Clayton Hotel, and Thinktank.
Work on section three, the HS2 section, is expected to begin by the end of the year. Section four, currently under construction, includes Meriden Street, Coventry Street, and New Canal Street. Section five is already finished.
If all goes according to plan, trams to Digbeth are expected to be operational in 2028. This story will continue to be followed until that time.
