Passengers are being urged to plan ahead and leave more time for their journeys as the next stage of Birmingham Westside Metro extension works are set to begin on Monday, 3 September 2018.

During the works, Paradise Circus will be closed in both directions to facilitate the Metro construction from Victoria Square to Centenary Square and will remain closed until summer 2019.

The A38 Queensway underpass, which runs beneath Paradise Circus, will remain open in both directions to allow access to and from the Aston Expressway and M6. Traffic marshals will be in place 24/7 to assist drivers wishing to access Holliday Street from Suffolk Street Queensway.

Centenary Square will close to vehicles from Monday 3 September but will remain open to public transport until mid-September. For maps of the diversion routes, you can visit networkwestmidlands.com/paradise. Councillor Waseem Zaffar, Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said:

"This Metro extension is set to bring fantastic benefits to the city, helping to strengthen economic growth and better connect people to other areas of the region, making it easier for those living, working and travelling in the area to get around.  

"Increased public transport provision is also essential if we are to encourage more people out of their cars, reducing congestion on our roads and helping to improve our air quality.

"As works to construct the next stage are edging closer, we are reminding the travelling public of the importance of planning their journeys ahead to avoid disruption."

The Birmingham Westside Metro extension follows the previous extension from St. Chads to Grand Central, which opened for passenger service in May 2016. Once completed, the Metro will operate between Grand Central and Hagley Road in Edgbaston, improving transport links in the heart of Birmingham, making journeys faster and more accessible, in turn helping businesses and supporting more jobs.

The first phase of the works, anticipated to open for passenger service in late 2019, will see the route extend from Grand Central to Centenary Square. The second phase of the route, anticipated to open for passenger service in 2021 in time for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, will continue to Edgbaston. Steve Grimes, The Midland Metro Alliance’s Project Director for the Birmingham Westside Metro extension, said:

"Since the beginning of July, we have been working hard with our partners to ensure those living, working and travelling to Birmingham are aware of the upcoming closure and so able to plan their journeys around it.

"During the closure we are encouraging people to plan their journeys in advance, use public transport if they can and ensure they allow extra time or re-time their travel, wherever possible."

Five new Metro stops will connect passengers to Victoria Square, Centenary Square, Brindleyplace, Five Ways and Hagley Road, with links to popular attractions including the International Convention Centre and Symphony Hall.