Despite the pandemic and multiple lockdowns, there has been a lot ot progress on the Westside Metro Extension from Centenary Square towards the Hagley Road, just beyond Five Ways in Edgbaston. Here we will look at the building of it from April 2015 to December 2020 on Broad Street with gaps from Feb to July 2020 and Nov 2020 due to the lockdowns.

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The Westside Metro Extension on Broad Street


The Westside Metro Extension on Broad Street


Despite the pandemic and multiple lockdowns, there has been a lot ot progress on the Westside Metro Extension from Centenary Square towards the Hagley Road, just beyond Five Ways in Edgbaston. Here we will look at the building of it from April 2015 to December 2020 on Broad Street with gaps from Feb to July 2020 and Nov 2020 due to the lockdowns.


Westside Metro Extension on Broad Street

Most progress was done during the various lockdowns in 2020. Especially in the months where I was unable to travel to the City Centre (until I had to go back to work in July). I also missed November (2nd lockdown, until I went back to work). Didn't really get around to checking the extension out again until late December 2020.

They have started to install Brindleyplace Tram Stop. I had a walk down on Broad Street on Christmas Eve to see it.

Enjoy this photo gallery from April 2015 to December 2020. Track laying began at the end of 2019, and they made a lot of progress during 2020, while Westside was quiet.

25th April 2015.

In April 2015, early signs on Broad Street of utility works between the future site of The Bank and The Mercian.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Apr 2015) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A lorry and van from the National Grid were on site in front of Zara's starting to move the undeground pipes and cables.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Apr 2015) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

5th April 2017.

Just under the link bridge from the Hyatt to Symphony Hall. More utility diverence works. This time by Pier (UK) Ltd.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Apr 2017).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

10th February 2018.

This view of Broad Street zoomed in from the Library of Birmingham's Secret Garden. Buses were still going up and down Broad Street at the time. This was close to Lee Longlands and Novotel.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Feb 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

15th February 2018.

Views from the top deck of the X10 NXWM Platinum bus, emerging from the Five Ways Underpass near the Five Ways Complex.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Feb 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Was a lot of traffic here due to the roadworks close to Pryzm.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Feb 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Traffic was diverted around to the right, with temporary traffic lights. Welcome to the City Centre.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Feb 2018) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It's hard to imagine Broad Street like this now, as it's been closed to traffic since 2019.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Feb 2018) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There was even a big hole in the road near Uber, at the corner of Ryland Street.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Feb 2018) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

26th March 2018.

I was on a no 23 NXWM Platinum bus on the top deck, while the 24 was in front. Cones in the middle of the road, while more utilities were diverted near the O Bar.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (March 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Near the end of Broad Street approaching Centenary Square, and about to go under the link bridge from Symphony Hall to the Hyatt Regency Birmingham. This view would change a lot in the follow two years.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (March 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

21st December 2019.

View from the no 24 National Express West Midlands Platinum bus from the top deck, looking towards Broad Street from Five Ways Island. Tracks had already been laid in the Five Ways underpass from Hagley Road to Broad Street.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Extension" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Dec 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

3rd February 2020.

The road had been dug up and was gates at certain sections, near where pedestrians could cross the road. This was near the Bierkeller Entertainment Complex towards the Five Ways Complex.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Feb 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

22nd February 2020.

The footpath near Symphony Hall was closed, you had to cross through the temporary path towards the Hyatt Regency Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Feb 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Between Regency Wharf and Symphony Hall, it looked like a warzone! No road surface.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Feb 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Towards Centenary Square, you can see Library Tram Stop in the distance.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Feb 2020) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

14th July 2020.

First time back on Broad Street for about 4 months due to the first lockdown (I'd gone back to work). Tram tracks had been laid near Reflex '80s Bar (The Crown), Walkabout and towards The Brasshouse.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Jul 2020) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

25th July 2020.

Tracks going all the way past Cineworld on Broad Street, down into the underpass below Five Ways Island.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Jul 2020) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The other side of the fence up Broad Street past the Five Ways Complex, towards The Bank, The Mercian and the Hampton by Hilton Hotel (Cumberland House).

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Jul 2020) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

29th August 2020.

Near Regency Wharf and the Solomon Cutler Wetherspoon. The road surface had yet to be filled up.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Aug 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

12th September 2020.

You could now walk down the middle of Broad Street. They were now doing the paving in front of the O Bar and Walkabout. As well as the paving on the Black Sabbath Bridge.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Sept 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Near the Solomon Cutler Wetherspoon at Regency Wharf. You could walk over part of the track that goes towards Five Ways.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Sept 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

16th September 2020.

Now you can see the track that was installed to connect to the end of the current line at Library Tram Stop.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Sept 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

From Centenary Square at Library Tram Stop, where the tracks are connected to the existing line.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Sept 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

19th October 2020.

Near Brindleyplace, Free Radio and Popworld.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Oct 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The tracks and the road surface were more or less complete near the Five Ways Complex.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Oct 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

25th October 2020.

My last major walk of the Westside Metro extension before the 2nd lockdown was announced. Seen here near Cineworld (which had closed down again) and Pryzm at the Five Ways Complex.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Oct 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The freshly laid road surface not far from Revolution.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Oct 2020) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Autumn leaves on the tracks near Dil Bar Indian Restaurant.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Oct 2020) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Paving works between Symphony Hall and the Solomon Cutler at Regency Wharf. You could walk down the tracks.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Oct 2020) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

They had already started to lay bricks on the new tracks near Centenary Square, with this view of the Library of Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Oct 2020) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

They had made a lot of progress since my previous update of this view, looked almost finished.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St (Oct 2020) (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

19th December 2020.

Headed to the Black Sabbath Bridge, as the Black Sabbath Bench is now back in place. Brickwork towards Walkabout and O Bar is now complete.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Black Sabbath Bridge 19122020 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Looking towards The Brasshouse and Three Brindleyplace. All it needs now is the four Broad Street Walk of Stars of the Black Sabbath members to be laid, but that would mean removing the newly laid bricks!

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Black Sabbath Bridge 19122020 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

24th December 2020. 

The view on Broad Street towards Five Ways. Cineworld has been closed since the middle of October. Buses have to divert down Ryland Street.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St 24122020 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Similar to the October view, but all the autumn leaves have long since been cleared up.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St 24122020 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Towards the so called Broad Street Cluster.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St 24122020 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There is the usual shutdown over the Christmas holidays.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St 24122020 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Can walk down the middle of the tracks past Novotel and Travelodge.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St 24122020 (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

First view of Brindleyplace Tram Stop near Free Radio and Popworld.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St 24122020 (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The start of the building of the tram platforms near Brindleyplace.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St 24122020 (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Towards the Black Sabbath Bridge with what was The Crown ('80s Reflex Bar) and The ICC.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St 24122020 (13).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A lot of strong winter sunshine on Broad Street, was close to Walkabout here.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St 24122020 (14).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Looking back at the Black Sabbath Bridge.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St 24122020 (16).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Towards Centenary Square, the link bridge from Symphony Hall to the Hyatt.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St 24122020 (17).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

From just in front of Library Tram Stop, the Westside Metro extension to Five Ways starts here.

dndimg alt="Westside Metro Broad St" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Westside Metro Ext Broad St 24122020 (18).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

27th December 2020.

View of Broad Street from Five Ways Island on the no 24 NXWM Platinum bus towards the so called Broad Street Cluster. Tracks below emerging from the Five Ways underpass. I expect they will build a tram stop near Cineworld sometime in 2021.

dndimg alt="Broad St Metro Ext" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Five Ways Broad St Metro Ext 27122020.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Also check out my Hagley Road, Edgbaston post .

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