The arrival of regular trams outside Birmingham New Street has been delayed for the third time.

Regular Midland Metro services had been scheduled to run the short distance from the station to Snow Hill Station, via Corporation Street and Bull Street, from Sunday 22nd May.

The initial stretch to a new stop in Bull Street was opened in December last year, but Centro has confirmed the final stretch of the £128 million project has again been delayed.

A spokesman for Midland Metro said: "minor anomalies in some of the track alignment were to blame".

The full extension was initially intended to open last year alongside the reopening of New Street station and Grand Central shopping centre, however after missing the deadline it was expected the work would be completed early this year.

Then in February, transport bosses pushed back the deadline again, saying the work would not be completed until May. One City MP, who campaigned for the redevelopment of New Street, said the Metro was a welcome addition – but it had taken too long to deliver.

Speaking ahead of the now delayed launch, Edgbaston MP Gisela Stuart said: "I am just glad it has finally made it but it has taken a long time. I just wish they had done it quicker.

“I only hope HS2 doesn’t take as long”.

The news comes as plans for a light rail service in Dudley were put on hold, with transport chiefs saying they would wait for the possibility of a Metro extension instead. Local residents were angered by the councils decision, with one woman saying: 

"It feels like Dudley is the town that time forgot. It's supposed to be the capital of the Black Country but we don't have a train station int he town centre.

"How can we expect to move forward with a Metro extension when it's taken contractors