There will be no West Midlands Metro service through Birmingham on the weekend of the Great Birmingham Run. Planned works mean there will be no tram service between Wednesbury onward to Birmingham, and from Edgbaston back to Wednesbury over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
The Metro will operate between Wolverhampton and Wednesbury only. Thousands of people are expected to descend on the city centre for the Great Birmingham Run on May 5 to either run, walk or cheer on those taking part.
Those attending have been urged to use public transport 'where possible' with a number of road closures in place for the weekend. Transport for West Midlands has confirmed that Metro tickets and passes will be valid on selected National Express bus services and West Midlands Rail services.
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Midland Metro Alliance (MMA) said the work was being undertaken to enable Sandwell Council to complete the demolition and construction of Dudley Street bridge - which spans the Metro line near the Dudley Street Guns Village stop. These works will be carried out on Sunday and Thursday each week from April 11 until May 16.
Sophie Allison, managing director of West Midlands Metro, said: “We understand the impact these essential works will have on our customers and appreciate their patience during this period of disruption. The temporary adjustments to services, which will begin at Easter, will take us a step closer to connecting more communities across the region with our enhanced network.”
West Midlands Metro said it was committed to keeping passengers moving. People who rely on the metro for day-to-day travel between Wednesbury and Birmingham will be able to use their tickets and passes on a number of replacement National Express bus services.
These include:
- 47 between Wednesbury bus station and West Bromwich;
- 79 between Wednesbury bus station and West Bromwich
- 74 between West Bromwich and Birmingham City Centre
- 101 between Handsworth and Colmore Row, Birmingham City Centre
- 80 between West Bromwich and Five Ways, Birmingham
- All services between Colmore Row and Edgbaston
Metro season tickets will also be accepted on West Midlands Railway train services between Wolverhampton and Birmingham (including any station served along this route, between these stops) and The Hawthorns, Jewellery Quarter, Snow Hill and Five Ways.
The Great Birmingham Run, the second biggest half marathon in the UK, will return to the streets of Birmingham on Sunday, May 5, along with the 10k event. Starting in Centenary Square, runners will pass some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the world-famous Jewellery Quarter, Chamberlain Clock, beautiful St Paul’s Square, and highlights such as the Mailbox and Grand Central.
A Great Birmingham Run spokesperson said: “We work alongside Birmingham City Council Highways, Transport for West Midlands, Midland Metro, and other agencies in the planning process. While we encourage the use of public transport wherever possible, unfortunately events outside our control such as the tram works means that there will be no Metro service available on Sunday, 5th May.
“We have continued to work closely with TfWM and other key stakeholders and to share this and other information regarding road closures with all relevant parties including our runners and spectators in advance of the event for them to plan ahead. For more information on the planned works and transport options into the city please visit the TfWM website.”
For travel updates ahead of the event, click here.
