New tram plan for Birmingham city centre
The cost of the Snow Hill to New Street extension is estimated at £60 million, leaving a £35 million shortfall even if the Government grant is approved.
It’s hoped the gap can be plugged by contributions from businesses in Birmingham and by the city council.
Work on the Snow Hill-New Street route could begin in four years, if all of the funding can be secured.
Centro spokeswoman Babs Coombes said: “The extension to the Midland Metro is a regional priority and we’ve just put in a regional bid for funding.
“Everything still has to be approved by central Government.”
Ms Coombes added: “It’s really exciting news. It is going to bring benefits to commuters and we are hoping it is going to take many more cars off the road.
“It will also mean that people will find a lot more flexibility in the service.
“They will be able to hop on a tram as soon as they get off a train at New Street Station instead of making their way to Snow Hill.
“We think this increase in convenience for people will result in a lot more journeys being taken on the service.”
It is estimated that the increases in service will take an estimated 420,000 car journeys off the road each year.
The route through Birmingham will take trams along Corporation Street and Stephenson Street in the city centre.
In Wolverhampton, the line will take a circular route around the city centre linking with the main railway station.
