West Midlands Metro tram journeys surpass pre-Covid levels
Construction work on the next phase to Merry Hill is also under way.There will also be a new link to Digbeth in Birmingham, with all extensions being paid for by the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), funding awarded by the DfT.In April last year a report stated that expanding the tram network carried an "enormous cost" that may prove difficult to meet.However, in November's Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the government would provide funding for the link from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill, a plan that had been beset with rising costs.Services were also suspended for several months in November 2021 after cracks were found in the bodywork of trams.
Sophie Allison, managing director of Midland Metro Limited, said: "These welcome figures come just weeks after our recent satisfaction survey showed that customer satisfaction also continues to reach new heights and, as we look towards further expansion, our focus will be on further enhancing the passenger experience for the thousands of people who rely on us every day."The continued growth and popularity of the Metro is a testament to the region's commitment to improving transport for everyone."Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker said he welcomed the figures, adding that the continued investment in the infrastructure supported the region's future development."Passenger numbers on the Metro are back to where they should be, and that's a direct result of the investment in our network," he said."Topping 8.3 million journeys shows that people trust the Metro to get them to the places they need to be, including work and school."
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Metro
21 minutes ago
- Metro
I spent a weekend in Ireland's best-kept secret — the rain didn't matter at all
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Sign up here. From wild swimming to walking trails and authentic trad seisiúnta , here's everything there is to do in one of Ireland's best-kept secrets. Home to just under 11,000 permanent residents, Skerries is small. For tourists, that means everything is central. To get your bearings, a solid starting point is a stroll along the coastal path, an easy circular walking route that links the North and South beaches with Martello Tower, a small fort dating back to 1804. There's history everywhere you step. Skerries was once home to St. Patrick's Monastery, the site of a Viking invasion. A plaque on a stone wall above the beach remembers Muriel Gifford, the widow of Irish revolutionary hero Thomas MacDonagh who was executed by the British in 1916. She drowned while swimming in Skerries one year later. The path stretches almost 7km to Balbriggan Beach, past the 18th-Century Ardgillan Castle and Lady's Stairs, two big tourist ticks in the area. On the horizon, the Mourne Mountains provide a moody sense of majesty. Closer to shore, local fishermen return around the headland with their daily catch. I follow my nose down to the harbour to explore Ireland's blossoming food scene. I am in thrall to a local recommendation. So 'you have to try the chowder in Stoop Your Head' is the kind of order I am more than happy to obey. Inside a nautical-inspired building on Harbour Road is a family-run restaurant with a simple but delicious menu. I plump for the chowder (€10.50), a thick creamy bowl bursting with fresh fish that tastes like it jumped right out of the sea and straight onto my table. It's served with the age-old Irish favourite, a chunky wedge of soda bread that I could have easily enjoyed on its own. Outside on the pier, a miniature ice-cream parlour is hidden in a candy-striped shack. 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Due to the weather, I reluctantly leave my swimsuit languishing in the bottom of my bag, but looking out across the blustery Irish Sea, it is easy to imagine a sunny day with kayakers and kitesurfers jockeying for space on the water; eager toddlers queuing at the ice-cream shack for the Flavour of the Day, and revellers spilling out of bars on to the streets. More Trending I'm already planning a return visit for the annual Trad Music Festival that takes place on the first weekend in June. Until then, I make the most of a break between showers to snap a few soggy selfies on the waterfront before grabbing lunch at Hit the Road Jacques, and then doing just that. Despite not seeing the sun, I had a truly wonderful trip to the Irish seaside. From authentic watering holes, to watersports and windmills, Skerries is a well-kept seaside secret that is worth its salt all year round. Just don't tell anyone. Flights from London to Dublin can cost as little as £16 one-way with Ryanair. 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Daily Mirror
22 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
What really happens below deck on cruise ship uncovered as expert tells all
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Telegraph
22 minutes ago
- Telegraph
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