The tram line is to be extended from Snow Hill station through the city centre to New Street station by March 2015. A new fleet of Spanish-made trams is also being brought in to run on the extended route.
The Department for Transport has promised 拢75.4m towards the 拢128m cost of the scheme, which is being led by Centro, the West Midlands鈥� transport authority, in partnership with Birmingham City Council and the Black Country district authorities.
Local transport minister Norman Baker said: 鈥淭his scheme will bring trams back to the heart of Birmingham, which is great news for both the city itself and the wider West Midlands. It will provide a new, sustainable transport choice for those wishing to reach the city centre鈥檚 bustling shopping streets and the emerging business district in Snow Hill.
鈥淭he scheme will also cut carbon and create growth by getting more people onto public transport, create 1,300 new jobs and deliver a 拢50m boost to the local economy.鈥�
Centro chief executive Geoff Inskip said: 鈥淲e are delighted to get the final go-ahead from Treasury and ministers.
鈥淣orman Baker has been a great advocate for this project and we will waste no time in pressing ahead with the construction of the extension which, together with the rebuilding of New Street Station, will transform our public transport network.
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