Midlands Metro

Location: West Midlands, UK
Client: West Midlands Combined Authority
Partners: Auctus; Barhale; Bouygues UK; Colas Rail; Egis; Tony Gee
Year: Ongoing (2016-2026)
Sector: Highways & Transportation |
Specialisms: Construction Design Management | Digital Engineering & BIM | Geotechnical Engineering | Highways Engineering | Project Management | Transport Planning | Rail Engineering |

Based in Central Birmingham, Pell Frischmann’s Highways & Transportation Team has been delivering projects across a wide range of sectors for over 15 years to clients including National Highways (formerly Highways England), Network Rail, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), Birmingham City Council and numerous other Local Authorities.

The WMCA was created in 2016 and since May 2017, the authority has been headed by a directly elected Mayor. The West Midlands has long been an important centre of commerce and industry with the coal and iron ore deposits of the Black Country providing a ready source of raw materials.

The WMCA has embarked upon an ambitious plan to regenerate the region and to provide new opportunities for residents and businesses. Central to this plan is the expansion of the Metro network, which will triple in size by 2026, providing high quality, safe and dependable tram travel across much of the region.

What we are doing

The Midland Metro Alliance is an alliance of partners from the WMCA, who owns the West Midlands Metro, rail construction specialists Colas Rail, and a design joint venture of Egis, Tony Gee and Pell Frischmann. We are delighted our expertise is contributing to the regeneration of the region. As a multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy, we understand the value of collaboration with both our alliance partners and the many stakeholders of the West Midlands.

Pell Frischmann staff is co-located with our partners playing significant roles in delivering the projects to BIM Level 2. We are proud to be a design partner for the alliance focused on ensuring a safe operational network, whilst we also share our expertise in the Transportation and Environmental disciplines.

Pell Frischmann has been appointed as Principal Designer to implement CDM Regulations for Midlands Metro.

Outcomes so far

Birmingham Westside Metro Extension: The innovation of the alliance is demonstrated by the first phase of the Westside Metro Extension which operates on battery power throughout and is the first tramway in the UK to do so. The second phase of the route will extend further from Centenary Square, along Broad Street west of Five Ways to the Hagley Road terminus.

Wolverhampton City Centre Metro Extension: As part of the Wolverhampton Interchange, this metro extension will split from the existing route just before the current terminus at St. George’s. It will continue to the railway station allowing easy interchange with heavy rail, bus and tram.

Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro Extension: Will run from Wednesbury Great Western Street Metro stop to Dudley Town Centre and then terminate in Brierley Hill helping regenerate key areas of Sandwell and Dudley boroughs.

Birmingham Eastside Metro Extension: Will service the Eastside regeneration area offering connections with New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill Railway Stations, in addition to the forthcoming High Speed 2 (HS2) station. The scheme also includes a new bus interchange adjacent to Clayton Hotel Birmingham to provide an efficient bus, Sprint and coach interchange with HS2.

East Birmingham to Solihull Metro Extension: Will see the Metro extended further east through Bordesley Green and Chelmsley Wood to North Solihull. The 17.5km route will connect key destinations in Birmingham, including Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham International, the NEC and HS2 Interchange.

For more information about the Midlands Metro Alliance, see here.