00:00Passengers in Birmingham are now able to use a new Metro tram extension to Millennium Point,
00:07giving that part of the city centre a direct link with the wider West Midlands network
00:13and with services through to Warburhampton. The new section branches off at Corporation Street,
00:20stops at Albert Street, then continues to Millennium Point,
00:24improving access to destinations including Think Tank Birmingham Science Museum, Birmingham City
00:30University, Moore Street Station and of course the nearby bus interchange. The opening was delayed
00:38on Sunday morning after an abandoned car blocked the tracks near St Chad's, but services between
00:44Warburhampton and Millennium Point resumed by about 10 o'clock in the morning. Trams on the extension
00:51are expected to run every 15 minutes with some existing services diverted to serve the additional
00:58stops. The route is part of a wider plan to expand the Metro further east across Birmingham. Work has
01:05already started on the next stage which is through Digbeth, while longer term ambitions include
01:12possible routes towards Birmingham Airport and a proposed new stadium for Birmingham City Football
01:18Club. Officials say the project should support growth, strengthen transport links and make future eastward
01:26extensions easier to deliver locally.
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