Rail is now in place from Lower Bull Street, through Dale End and into the dual carriageway after construction activity got underway on this section of the route in April.

This latest significant milestone means that some bus stops along Moor Street Queensway will again be able to be used by passengers.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “I want to see the extension up and running as soon as possible – once open it will revolutionise the way people move around the city centre with fast, reliable and affordable tram services and direct links to railway stations and bus services.

“The works around Albert Street and Dale End are nearly finished which I know will come as a great relief to businesses and people in the area.”

Buses were diverted from Moor Street Queensway to nearby locations in the city centre during the works and passengers are being advised to check with their operator for information on individual services.

The Midland Metro Alliance, which is planning, designing and building the scheme on behalf of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), will continue to have a presence in the area to carry out finishing activities including street scene improvements.

Preliminary works will also continue behind the fencing to further extend the track to a temporary stop outside the Clayton Hotel, allowing passengers to use this section of the route as early as 2025/26.

To mark the milestone, the alliance released drone footage showing how the east of the city, from Lower Bull Street to Digbeth High Street, has been transformed by the works to deliver the Metro extension, with new paving, street furniture and greenery complimenting the infrastructure delivery.

Maria Ion, project director, said: “We are all extremely delighted to have reached this key stage of construction along Moor Street Queensway. I would like to thank all the businesses, residents and bus passengers for their patience while the construction was taking place.”

The Birmingham Eastside Metro extension will run from Bull Street, in the city centre, to Digbeth, adding additional tram stops to the Metro network. More than half of the 1.7km route is planned to be free of overhead wires, similar to the extensions in the West of Birmingham.