The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board have agreed more than 50 projects to improve road, rail, tram, bus, cycling and walking routes across the region with these schemes now set to be submitted to the Department for Transport for final approval after which a final list will be publicly published.
Included in the list are more than 100km of new segregated cycle routes, 50km of bus lanes and priority measures, a new railway station in Aldridge and the UK’s first very light rail line in Coventry City Centre. There will also be efforts to encourage the greater use of electric vehicles.
Other light rail schemes proposed include extending the West Midlands Metro further along Hagley Road as well as expanding the current tram depot at Wednesbury.
All these schemes will be funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement from the DfT with the West Midlands having already been awarded £1.05 billion through this package in 2021.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and Chair of the WMCA, said: “This unprecedented investment will allow us to deliver more than 50 exciting projects as we continue to revolutionise and de-carbonise public transport across the West Midlands.From an expanded metro network and new railway stations, to more cycle routes and better electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the schemes we have agreed today will benefit every area, with improved links for communities right across the West Midlands, whilst also tackling the climate change emergency by cutting down our carbon emissions. I know the team cannot wait to get started on these projects, and so once we have Government approval we will press on with getting diggers in the ground and people into work.”
Cllr Ian Ward, WMCA Portfolio Holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The seven local authorities have worked together to produce a package which will ensure we get the most from this investment. It will deliver new work and leisure opportunities for our communities, improve our health, reduce traffic congestion, and accelerate our journey towards becoming a net-zero carbon region while fully integrating with our ongoing investment in rail, bus, Metro and cycling.”