Metro overcomes icicle issues

A burst water pipe and freezing conditions meant the Midland Metro was unable to serve Birmingham for several hours today as engineers worked against the clock to get trams moving for the start of the festive season.

A water leak from an empty Jewellery Quarter building meant Metro power lines seized up under the weight of icicles. The water poured straight through the roof of Hockley Tunnel used by the Metro to run into Birmingham Snow Hill.

Fred Roberts, Midland Metro Manager, said: “Water was pouring through the roof of the tunnel and freezing temperatures meant the power lines quickly covered in ice. We had to close the tunnel for several hours while engineers used heaters to melt the icicles, which reached three foot in some areas. We had to be incredibly careful because the ice could have caused permanent damage to the overhead lines.”

The Metro regained a full service from 4:30pm when the water main was switched off and icicles were removed from the main lines.

Fred added: “It really was a race against the clock – tonight is expected to be one of the busiest evenings on the Metro with people pouring into Birmingham for the German Market. We needed to get the service back in action to help people start their Christmas celebrations”

Published 3rd December 2010