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Elliott Brown Transport
30 May 2022 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Westside Metro Extension: Broad Street and Hagley Road - April and May 2022 update

Trams continue to be tested along Broad Street and Hagley Road via Five Ways. The roads will be reopened to buses from 5th June 2022, but trams will only be in service to Bull Street when it resumes again. 

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Westside Metro Extension: Broad Street and Hagley Road - April and May 2022 update





Trams continue to be tested along Broad Street and Hagley Road via Five Ways. The roads will be reopened to buses from 5th June 2022, but trams will only be in service to Bull Street when it resumes again. 


2nd April 2022

Broad Street

At Centenary Square, near Broad Street. Pink Midland Metro Alliance barriers near Library Tram Stop.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Extension" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/LoB Centenary Sq 02042022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

9th April 2022

Broad Street

The Midland Metro Alliance has installed an electricity substation at Five Ways Island, above  the Five Ways Underpass (between Broad Street and Hagley Road in Edgbaston). St Martin's Place and Park Regis Birmingham seen behind with a bus on the 23 or 24 bus routes via Harborne.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Extension" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ESS Five Ways Island 09042022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Cones and pink Midland Metro Alliance barriers on Broad Street between The Mercian and The Bank. Towards the Five Ways Entertainment Complex.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Extension" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WME Broad St 09042022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Cones and barriers on Broad Street between Brindleyplace and O'Neill's towards The Crown Reflex.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Extension" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WME Broad St 09042022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

7th May 2022

Broad Street

Close to the site of Brindleyplace Tram Stop on Broad Street towards the Library of Birmingham. Pink Midland Metro Alliance barriers were in the middle of the road.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Extension" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lob Broad St WMExt 07052022.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

25th May 2022

Hagley Road

Outside of Morrisons on the Hagley Road. What looks like green astroturf, with TRAM ONLY painted on this side. Towards Starbucks Coffee.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Extension" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM Hagley Rd 25052022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

To the Five Ways Underpass from Hagley Road. The barriers have been removed, but cones remain in place.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Extension" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM Hagley Rd 25052022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A Midland Metro Alliance worker is there to remove the cones when the test trams come through the Five Ways Underpass. View towards The Mercian and Hampton by Hilton Broad Street hotel.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Extension" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM Hagley Rd 25052022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

28th May 2022

Broad Street

Cones line both sides of Broad Street between JD Wetherspoon: Solomon Cutter and The Crown Reflex, towards The Brasshouse. A car drives up the middle, while a yellow taxi cab is parked on the right.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Extension" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WME Broad St 28052022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Cyclists have made good use of the closed roads. Here a cyclist is seen riding his bike through the middle of the cones up Broad Street and past The Brasshouse. Entrance to Brindleyplace and the canal on the right.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Extension" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WME Broad St 28052022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Closest we've been able to get to the Five Ways Underpass from Broad Street. There is a Midland Metro Alliance worker who moves the cones and barriers when a test tram comes through. View towards the Marriott Hotel.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Extension" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WME Broad St 28052022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It looks like the underpass will be for buses and trams only. All other traffic will have to use Five Ways Island from Broad Street. View near Park Regis Birmingham and Broadway Residences.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Extension" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WME Broad St 28052022 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

For further photos click here for almost 400 photos: Westside Metro extension Broad Street to Hagley Road

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Art; Culture & creativity
28 Apr 2022 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Annatomix fox at Wylde Green Station

I was first aware that Annatomix had painted her trademark orange fox at Wylde Green Station, during June 2021. Took me a while, but returned to Sutton Coldfield at midday on Sunday 24th April 2022. Walked down from the Town Centre to the Highbridge Road Bridge. Down the steps, and the art was in an alcove behind the steps and wall.

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Annatomix fox at Wylde Green Station





I was first aware that Annatomix had painted her trademark orange fox at Wylde Green Station, during June 2021. Took me a while, but returned to Sutton Coldfield at midday on Sunday 24th April 2022. Walked down from the Town Centre to the Highbridge Road Bridge. Down the steps, and the art was in an alcove behind the steps and wall.


Getting to Sutton Coldfield

I was going to get the 13:06 from platform 8A at Birmingham New Street Station, but it was running 10 minutes late on the 24th April 2022. The first Class 323 from Redditch ended up terminating there, but an announcement told passengers to go to platform 7A, so over the bridge to the other side, and another Class 323 arrived for 13:16 from Soho Depot.

Arriving at Sutton Coldfield Station, I first popped to Costa Coffee at the Gracechurch Centre, before walking down the Birmingham Road towards Wylde Green Station. I left Birmingham Road at Jockey Road. The wrong bridge over the Cross City Line, but found a shortcut via Wilkinson Close to Highbridge Road.

 

Annatomix fox at Wylde Green Station

Down the steps towards platform 1 (trains towards Four Oaks and Lichfield Trent Valley). I could see the Annatomix fox over the steps as I headed down.

dndimg alt="Annatomix fox Wylde Green Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix fox Wylde Green (Apr 2022) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

In the alcove at the back, below the Highbridge Road Bridge in Wylde Green is the Annatomix fox.

dndimg alt="Annatomix fox Wylde Green Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix fox Wylde Green (Apr 2022) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The fox and the steps. To get back to Birmingham New Street though, went back up these steps, and over the other steps to platform 2.

dndimg alt="Annatomix fox Wylde Green Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix fox Wylde Green (Apr 2022) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Now on the path to platform 2, a view of the Annatomix fox and the steps to / from platform 1.

dndimg alt="Annatomix fox Wylde Green Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix fox Wylde Green (Apr 2022) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

There is high fences either side of the railway, but the fox street art is just about visible from the path.

dndimg alt="Annatomix fox Wylde Green Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix fox Wylde Green (Apr 2022) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

I somehow timed my arrival at Wylde Green Station as my train back to Birmingham New Street was arriving at platform 2. The Class 323 got a bit of shadow here, and you can see the fox by Annatomix on the far left.

dndimg alt="Annatomix fox Wylde Green" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wylde Green Station (Apr 2022) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Retook West Midlands Railway 323213, the lighting was better on the second attempt. Bit hard to see the Annatomix fox now.

dndimg alt="Annatomix fox Wylde Green" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wylde Green Station (Apr 2022) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

There is a new thing from the Soho Depot called "Soho Bingo", the train I got is now named Sutton Coldfield. I think the game works if you get the name of the train at the station of the same name. But I did earlier arrive at Sutton Coldfield Station.

dndimg alt="Annatomix fox Wylde Green" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wylde Green Station (Apr 2022) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Transport
07 Mar 2022 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Edgbaston Village Tram Stop on Hagley Road - March 2022 update

Well the Westside Metro Extension to Five Ways and Hagley Road in Edgbaston is months late in opening. While West Midlands Metro restored a service to Library Tram Stop in Centenary Square by mid February 2022, the extension to Hagley Road is not yet open. Still cones and barriers. Edgbaston Village Tram Stop at 54 Hagley Rd now looks close to completion. Early March 2022 update.

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Edgbaston Village Tram Stop on Hagley Road - March 2022 update





Well the Westside Metro Extension to Five Ways and Hagley Road in Edgbaston is months late in opening. While West Midlands Metro restored a service to Library Tram Stop in Centenary Square by mid February 2022, the extension to Hagley Road is not yet open. Still cones and barriers. Edgbaston Village Tram Stop at 54 Hagley Rd now looks close to completion. Early March 2022 update.


26th June 2021

Last summer, early signs of working beginning to build Edgbaston Village Tram Stop on Hagley Road, outside of the former Barclays Bank and 54 Hagley Road.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tram Stop 26062021 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tram Stop 26062021 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tram Stop 26062021 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

4th September 2021

Outside of Morrisons on the Hagley Road, and they had laid a green surface around the tracks. While other parts were covered over.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MMA Hagley Rd 04092021 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MMA Hagley Rd 04092021 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

13th November 2021

More of the same with the green surface outside of Starbucks Coffee, but a lot of barriers around here at the time. Edgbaston Village Tram Stop now has shelters installed.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd WMExt 13112021 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd WMExt 13112021 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd WMExt 13112021 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd WMExt 13112021 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

5th December 2021

From Five Ways Island. Midland Metro Alliance have been spending months building electrical substations above the underpass between Broad Street and Hagley Road.

dndimg alt="Five Ways Island" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MMA Five Ways Island 05122021.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

26th December 2021

Boxing Day fog. The original plan was to have opened this Metro extension by the end of 2021, but this of course didn't happen. Cones along part of the route, while at least one lane open to traffic heading from Five Ways Island onto the Hagley Road.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd WM Ext 26122021 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd WM Ext 26122021 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd WM Ext 26122021 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

9th January 2022

The new year, and a blue sky at the new crossing outside of Morrisons and Starbucks Coffee. With The Lansdowne on the other side of Hagley Road.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WM Metro Hagley Rd Ext 09012022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WM Metro Hagley Rd Ext 09012022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

7th February 2022

A visit to Morrisons Café on the Hagley Road. Views out of the window, cones and barriers with traffic diverted from Five Ways onto the Hagley Road. If you want to get to Stourbridge, catch the no 9 bus. After I left Morrisons, had a quick look at Edgbaston Village Tram Stop from outside.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd Metro Ext 07022022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd Metro Ext 07022022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd Metro Ext 07022022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

5th March 2022

Approaching Hagley Road from Highfield Road in Edgbaston. Edgbaston Village Tram Stop has the overhead cables and grey poles installed, as well as grass tracks next to 54 Hagley Road.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EVTS Hagley Rd 05032022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EVTS Hagley Rd 05032022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EVTS Hagley Rd 05032022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EVTS Hagley Rd 05032022 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

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Elliott Brown Transport
15 Feb 2022 - Elliott Brown
News & Updates

West Midlands Metro trams returns to Paradise

After 203 days, West Midlands Metro has finally resumed services between Bull Street and Library, on the 12th February 2022. The last trams in service for passengers at this end was 24th July 2021. Since then Corporation Street was closed for 11 weeks for track relaying. Then faults in the trams around November 2021, then some back in service to Bull Street by December 2021. Welcome back.

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West Midlands Metro trams returns to Paradise





After 203 days, West Midlands Metro has finally resumed services between Bull Street and Library, on the 12th February 2022. The last trams in service for passengers at this end was 24th July 2021. Since then Corporation Street was closed for 11 weeks for track relaying. Then faults in the trams around November 2021, then some back in service to Bull Street by December 2021. Welcome back.


Saturday 12th February 2022

The 24th July 2021 was the last date that trams ran on a service for passengers to Library Tram Stop. Since then, a 11 week closure of Corporation Street for track relaying. Then delays from November 2021 when cracks were discovered (on the Spanish CAF manufactured trams). Some repaired trams back in service from December 2021, but only to Bull Street (some new Urbos 100 trams have been fast tracked into service alongside the original Urbos 3 trams). 12th February 2022, the first date that West Midlands Metro have got trams back in service towards Centenary Square (but every 12 minutes). Here tram 29 departs Town Hall Tram Stop, and heads around Paradise Circus, passing the new One Centenary Way, before approaching Centenary Square, for it's final approach to Library Tram Stop.

While beyond Library, Broad Street is all tracked, but beyond Five Ways to Hagley Road, it is not quite complete. So might be a couple more months before we can see trams further into Westside.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro tram 29" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 29 Paradise Circus 12022022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro tram 29" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 29 Paradise Circus 12022022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro tram 29" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 29 Paradise Circus 12022022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Monday 14th February 2022

On a rainy Valentine's Day, I popped up to the Discovery Terrace at the Library of Birmingham. Saw West Midlands Metro tram 40 (Urbos 100) at Library Tram Stop. It then departed Centenary Square, via the Bus Gate onto Paradise Circus. While traffic waited at the traffic lights, for the tram to cross over to Paradise Street and to Town Hall Tram Stop.

dndimg alt="Tram 40" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 40 Library Tram Stop 14022022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Tram 40" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 40 Paradise 14022022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Tram 40" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 40 Paradise 14022022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Tram 40" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 40 Paradise 14022022 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Tram 40" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 40 Paradise 14022022 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Tram 40" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 40 Paradise 14022022 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

After leaving the Library of Birmingham via Centenary Square and Centenary Way. Walked into Chamberlain Square and Victoria Square. Just about caught West Midland Metro tram 23 departing from Town Hall Tram Stop for Library. The first of three trams I saw heading to Westside.

dndimg alt="Tram 23" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 23 Town Hall Vic Sq 14022022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Walking down Pinfold Street, the next tram I saw was West Midlands Metro tram 28 "Jasper Carrott", heading up Stephenson Street, having departed Grand Central Tram Stop. It then headed up Pinfold Street towards Victoria Square. The second of three trams. Maybe at least one was going onto Broad Street for a test run?

dndimg alt="Stephenson Pinfold" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 38 SP 14022022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Stephenson Pinfold" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 38 SP 14022022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

One last tram seen from Stephenson Street. West Midlands Metro tram 31 "Cyrille Regis" seen heading down from Corporation Street onto Stephenson Place. Still people walking on the wrong side of the road. There is a pavement next to the Apple building (ex Midland Bank / Waterstone's).

dndimg alt="Stephenson Corporation" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 31 SC 14022022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Stephenson Corporation" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 31 SC 14022022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

I actually started this rainy photo walk heading past Snow Hill. The Living Wall and grass track. First up was West Midlands Metro tram 20 heading to Wolverhampton. Then arriving at St Chad's Tram Stop was tram 34 heading to Birmingham. I then went down the steps, and walked up Constitution Hill and Great Hampton Street into the Jewellery Quarter.

dndimg alt="Snow Hill trams" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM Snow Hill 14022022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Snow Hill trams" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM Snow Hill 14022022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Snow Hill trams" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM Snow Hill 14022022 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Snow Hill trams" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM Snow Hill 14022022 (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown can also be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

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Elliott Brown Transport
15 Jan 2022 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Royal Navy 692 - WT 723 at SCC Technology Campus in Tyseley

On the no 4 / 4A bus route on the Warwick Road in Tyseley. There is now a decommissioned Hawker Hunter at the SCC Technology Campus. After the Shoreham air crash, it would never fly again. But was placed here on a pole stand around September 2021. A short walk up from Tyseley Locomotive Works and Tyseley Station, not far from Greet and the River Cole.

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Royal Navy 692 - WT 723 at SCC Technology Campus in Tyseley





On the no 4 / 4A bus route on the Warwick Road in Tyseley. There is now a decommissioned Hawker Hunter at the SCC Technology Campus. After the Shoreham air crash, it would never fly again. But was placed here on a pole stand around September 2021. A short walk up from Tyseley Locomotive Works and Tyseley Station, not far from Greet and the River Cole.


If you catch the no 4 or 4A bus from Carrs Lane in the City Centre towards Tyseley and Acocks Green, you might spot something unusual. This decommissioned Hawker Hunter Royal Navy plane has been mounted on a pole stand at the SCC Technology Campus between Greet and Tyseley. The Warwick Road junction with Battery Way. Also near the Cole Valley Business Park, Burbury Brickworks Nature Reserve (Shire Country Park) and the River Cole. People in cars or other transport might also spot it on their journey up and down the Warwick Road.

First flew in 1955. Retired in 1993. Various owners since. Since Shoreham crash it has been de-registered, and from September 2021 was moved to Tyseley pole-mounted at the SCC premises. All major components removed.

 

Royal Navy 692 - WT 723 - Hawker Hunter

Gallery of eight photos below. Taken on Saturday 15th January 2022.

dndimg alt="Royal Navy 692" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RN 692 SCC Tyseley 15012022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Royal Navy 692" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RN 692 SCC Tyseley 15012022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Royal Navy 692" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RN 692 SCC Tyseley 15012022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Royal Navy 692" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RN 692 SCC Tyseley 15012022 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Royal Navy 692" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RN 692 SCC Tyseley 15012022 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Royal Navy 692" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RN 692 SCC Tyseley 15012022 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Royal Navy 692" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RN 692 SCC Tyseley 15012022 (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Royal Navy 692" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RN 692 SCC Tyseley 15012022 (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown can also be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

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