The maximum benefits of bringing high speed rail to the West Midlands can only be delivered if the Midland Metro system is further extended according to authorities across the region. Plans are already in development to build a spur on the extension through Birmingham City Centre to Moor Street station and the proposed HS2 station and it is also hoped that the line may go beyond New Street to Centenary Square.
The HS2 Local Connectivity Group – made of local authorities, businesses and organisations across the West Midlands – is backing these extensions and they are also keen on ensuring there is fast transfer between New Street and Moor Street HS2 stations. They hope that by ensuring this the maximum economic benefits will be realised and make sure that high speed rail is fully integrated with the transport system.
Geoff Inskip, Chief Executive of Centro, said: “Construction is already underway on the Metro extension from Snow Hill to New Street. Our challenge is to get the best from HS2 for people throughout the West Midlands and Metro is an essential part of that. We must ensure local and regional services connect seamlessly with the high-speed rail network so that everyone benefits.”
It is disappointing how little progress has been made in extending this system compared to Manchester & Nottingham. There has been plan after plan over the years, but the only thing to definitely progress is the extension to New Street Station. Welcome though that is, it still basically remains a one line “system”.
Pete C is right in noting how little progress is made in the West Midlands. There have been so many projects that never got progressed, when there could have been a region-wide light rail network by now. Strange how UK’s second city transport is so under-resourced.
with the system finally getting extended even for a short distance into the heart of the city centre.
I know the systems HQ in wednesbury, it is strange how they have not used the old staffs line and linked to Bescot to link with trains to Birmingham/Walsall/Hendsford.