Boost for Midland Metro extensions

The West Midlands has become the latest area to agree a devolution deal with the government which will see £2 billion worth of transport improvements including extensions to the current (and already planned extensions) Midland Metro network. Over the next 10 years the HS2 Connectivity Package will see a programme of transport schemes that will support the HS2 link which will arrive in the centre of Birmingham at Curzon Street.

For Midland Metro there will be new lines built linking the HS2 Station at Curzon Street to Birmingham Airport via Bordesley Green and Chelmsley Wood and between Wednesbury and Brierley Hill. Other transport improvements will include the development of the Sprint rapid transport network and rail service enhancements on the West Coast Line as capacity is released by the opening of HS2.

Cllr Roger Lawrence, chair of the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority, said: “This is the biggest devolution deal done to date. It gives the West Midlands the powers and the funding to provide a real step change in our transport infrastructure and supports our wider ambitions to grow the economy, provide new jobs, improved skills and quality housing. This is fantastic news, both for public transport in the West Midlands region but also for freight and other users of the road and rail network. We can put in place schemes to help drive the regional economy forward, tackle pollution and congestion and get people to where they want to go. We will be working closely with the Government to look at ways to reduce congestion on the strategic road network and better manage demand across the key routes network to keep people moving. We will have additional powers on critical issues such as bus franchising, integrated ticketing, safety and air quality ensuring that decisions which have impact on local people are made locally.”

Central government will make an annual contribution of £40 million for 30 years to support the overall investment package of £8 billion which in turn will help create more than half a million jobs.