Birmingham transport operator Centro has won a planning battle for an extension of the city’s tram network.
This week transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin overturned a planning inspector’s recommendation that CPO powers necessary for a new tramway between Stephenson Street and Centenary Square should be refused.
The powers were originally granted in 2005 and lapsed in 2010. The government stated that the transport benefits outweighed the aesthetic harm to heritage buildings.
Centro must complete the work, the first part of a proposed new route between the city centre and Edgbaston, within five years.
The transport operator came under fire this week from retailers after the opening of a half-mile mile extension from Snow Hill to New Street station was postponed for a third time.
The long-awaited link, which has been under construction for four years, was originally supposed to come into operation in September to coincide with the opening of the revamped New Street station and Grand Central shopping centre.
Trams were finally due to start running this weekend, but have been delayed because of track problems.
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