Latest news with #MetroExpansion
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Wednesbury tram depot expansion costs increase by £7.65m
Costs of an expansion to cater for increased tram services at a West Midlands Metro depot have risen by more than £ Midlands Combined Authority bosses have agreed to increase the total budget for the scheme in Wednesbury to £ upgrade was necessary as projects to increase Metro lines across the region continued at a pace, they added that extending the depot would allow for extra stabling for the increased fleet, a new control room, extra workshop and engineering facilities as well as an improved training academy. Current Metro works include the extension of services from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill, with phase one of the scheme expected to completed later this year and phase two launched in is also continuing on the Birmingham Eastside Extension, which will provide links to HS2 at Curzon Street and extension is seen as crucial to unlocking a new line from Digbeth to Birmingham City FC's £3bn Sports Quarter plans in Bordesley as well as going on to serve north Solihull, the airport, NEC and surrounding Arden Cross regeneration zone."The depot improvement works, which include upgrades to power supplies and overhead cables, will future-proof the Metro ahead of further growth of the network," said Jo Shore, from Transport for West added: "We regularly review projects to add additional scope or reflect operational changes."The budget for these works reflects changes in specifications and scope in several areas to improve durability and lifespan as well as a review of wider project costs." This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Arabian Business
16-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai real estate: Metro Blue Line to turn infrastructure into wealth generator, says fäm Properties CEO
Construction has begun on Dubai's Metro Blue Line expansion, with a property expert predicting the infrastructure project will transform the emirate's urban economy and turn connectivity into real estate currency. Firas Al Msaadi, CEO of fäm Properties, said the Blue Line will have implications for Dubai's real estate market as the city advances its position as a global, liveable, and investable destination. Construction began last week with the laying of the foundation stone for the first station at Dubai Creek Harbour. Metro expansion boosts real estate values 'This is not just a metro expansion, this is a game-changer for Dubai's urban economy. The moment you cut commute time you raise the productivity of the entire city,' Al Msaadi said, adding that the transportation creates time, opportunity, and value rather than simply enabling movement. 'With the Blue Line, Dubai is not only connecting nine key districts, it's connecting people to possibilities,' Al Msaadi said. The CEO predicted that property values in areas around the Blue Line, particularly Dubai Creek Harbour, Academic City, and Dubai Silicon Oasis, will experience upward movement. 'Connectivity is the new currency of real estate,' Al Msaadi said. He said the project's impact will extend citywide, benefiting residents who do not use the metro through reduced traffic, logistics improvements, and higher efficiency. 'That's how infrastructure becomes a wealth generator,' Al Msaadi said. Upon completion, the Blue Line will represent one of the world's most advanced, modern, and high-impact transportation networks, according to Al Msaadi. 'But it's not just about stations – it's about shaping the future of Dubai as a global, liveable, and investable city,' he said. 'The Blue Line is the foundation of a faster, more productive, more connected Dubai, and the implications for real estate are massive.' Al Msaadi referenced the positive impact metro and transit projects have had on residential properties in major cities worldwide, predicting Dubai will experience similar or greater effects due to traffic's impact on the city's productivity. 'When you reduce commute times, you unlock economic output,' he said. 'People arrive earlier, businesses operate smoother, areas become liveable. You expand the map of investable zones.' The property expert identified several consequences of the Blue Line expansion: More demand for housing in connected districts will emerge, alongside increased investor attention to undervalued areas including Academic City, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and International City. Prime projects near metro lines will experience premium uplifts, with Creek Harbour already showing movement. Units within walking distance of stations will generate higher rental yields. Developers will reconsider their masterplans using 'metro-first' logic, according to Al Msaadi. 'Transportation is the one thing that benefits everyone, even those not using the metro,' he said. 'When others take the train, you drive with less traffic. When a city becomes more fluid, your asset appreciates.'
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Metro line feasibility study under way
Designs for new Metro stations and bridges are set to be drawn up in a bid to win government support for a £900m expansion. The proposed new route to Washington in Sunderland would use part of the disused Leamside line running from Pelaw in Gateshead. Engineering consultants Arup have been appointed to carry out a feasibility study for the project and design work for infrastructure, which is being overseen by Labour's North East Mayor Kim McGuinness. It is hoped their designs will help local leaders when lobbying for the huge amount of public funding that would be needed to actually build the extension. The Local Democracy Reporting Service said full details of where Metro trains would stop in the area, the economic benefits of the eight mile (13km) rail extension and the true cost of the project are expected to be revealed during the development of the outline business case. The Washington Metro Loop represents the first section of a wider ambition to reopen the entire Leamside Line, which runs down through County Durham and could allow for the launch of new Tyne-Tees train services. It was estimated in 2022 that the scheme would cost £745m, but this has since been listed as costing £900m in the mayor's new regional transport plan, which sets a target of delivering the project by 2032. While the restoration has been a top priority for leaders for years, some critics have raised concerns it could be a "vanity project" which it may not be feasible to deliver. However, McGuinness has long stated her determination to deliver on the promise of bringing the Metro to Washington, describing it as a "major part" of her ambition to re-open the Leamside route through County Durham and Sunderland. "I am determined to transform our transport network to change the lives of local people for generations to come," she said. "This project will be the biggest expansion of the Metro for more than 20 years – and it will be just as transformative as the Sunderland line was when it first opened back in 2002." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Government 'working closely' to reopen rail line Which are the possible Leamside Line stations? 'Incredibly high' cost of new Metro line questioned Nexus North East Combined Authority
BBC News
31-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New Washington Metro line feasibility study under way
Designs for new Metro stations and bridges are set to be drawn up in a bid to win government support for a £900m proposed new route to Washington in Sunderland would use part of the disused Leamside line running from Pelaw in consultants Arup have been appointed to carry out a feasibility study for the project and design work for infrastructure, which is being overseen by Labour's North East Mayor Kim is hoped their designs will help local leaders when lobbying for the huge amount of public funding that would be needed to actually build the extension. The Local Democracy Reporting Service said full details of where Metro trains would stop in the area, the economic benefits of the eight mile (13km) rail extension and the true cost of the project are expected to be revealed during the development of the outline business case. The Washington Metro Loop represents the first section of a wider ambition to reopen the entire Leamside Line, which runs down through County Durham and could allow for the launch of new Tyne-Tees train was estimated in 2022 that the scheme would cost £745m, but this has since been listed as costing £900m in the mayor's new regional transport plan, which sets a target of delivering the project by the restoration has been a top priority for leaders for years, some critics have raised concerns it could be a "vanity project" which it may not be feasible to deliver. However, McGuinness has long stated her determination to deliver on the promise of bringing the Metro to Washington, describing it as a "major part" of her ambition to re-open the Leamside route through County Durham and Sunderland."I am determined to transform our transport network to change the lives of local people for generations to come," she said."This project will be the biggest expansion of the Metro for more than 20 years – and it will be just as transformative as the Sunderland line was when it first opened back in 2002." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
