Route chosen for Digbeth tram extension in Birmingham

The Metro trams will go along High Street Deritend

A route has been chosen for the £127m Midland Metro tram extension in Birmingham.

Trams in Digbeth will go on High Street Deritend after 74% voted for the route in a public consultation, transport co-ordinator Centro said.

The other option for Digbeth had been along Fazeley Street.

The chosen route, which may open by 2023, includes the HS2 station, New Canal Street, Meriden Street and Adderley Street.

A proposed terminus will be at Adderley Street, while the 1.5km (0.9 miles) extension route will start from the forthcoming HS2 station at Curzon Street.

The trams will run along New Canal Street and Meriden Street and turn left on to High Street Deritend

Centro said itself and Birmingham City Council made the decision about the new section following the public consultation.

The first section of the Eastside Metro route agreed last year will run between the extension being built at Bull Street in the city centre, via Albert Street and on to the forthcoming HS2 station.

Members of the public were offered the chance to vote for the two Digbeth options, after transport chiefs secured extra government money last summer to take the extension further into the area.

Under the chosen option on High Street Deritend, trams will stop close to the junction of Milk Street, serving Digbeth coach station, before turning left into Adderley Street.

The tram extension is part of a wider plan drawn up by the city council and Centro for land around the HS2 station.