'Successful' overnight test of tram extension

West Midlands Metro trams have reached Millennium Point for the first time

West Midlands Metro trams have reached Birmingham's Millennium Point in a "successful" overnight track test on the first leg of a new tram extension.

The first phase of the Eastside extension, which will eventually go to Birmingham City FC's forthcoming 60,000 seat stadium, offers two stops.

These will offer passengers access to destinations such as Moor Street station, Millennium Point and Birmingham City University campus.

Work is ongoing to take the extension to Digbeth Coach Station.

It also offers a direct tram link for the almost 400,000 bus passengers a week who use services at the Moor Street bus interchange.

Mayor Richard Parker has earmarked £400m to build the tram extension to the new stadium and surrounding Sports Quarter regeneration scheme.

The money is also being used to plan and design the full East Birmingham and Solihull extension out to Birmingham Airport and HS2 Interchange.

Late night tram runs will continue over the next few weeks as Midland Metro Alliance engineers fully test the line and fine tune the track ready for the route to be handed over to West Midlands Metro for driver training and timetable testing.

Passenger services will start in the autumn following the completion of the testing.

The tests are the first time trams have run down Lower Bull Street, Albert Street and across Moor Street Queensway, before stopping at a temporary terminus next to the Eastside City Park.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said: "These successful tests show how close we are to opening up new reliable tram links to this part of Birmingham City Centre.

"Soon it will be easier for everyone to get around – whether they are commuting to work, heading to class or travelling further afield by connecting to rail and bus services."

Local businesses had been informed of the testing and a public safety campaign had been launched to warn people that trams were now running on the streets, West Midlands Combined Authority said.

The track has already been completed in Digbeth and construction work is shortly due to commence on the next section on Meriden Street, before joining the two together on the Curzon Street Station site.