Richard Parker, Mayor of West Midlands, and other local politicians and businesses have been involved in in-depth discussions with the government in recent months to try and secure funding for another major expansion of the West Midlands Metro network – which could see it go further into East Birmingham and further on to Solihull. The proposals would cost £1 billion but after these discussions the Mayor is hopeful that the plans will be supported.
The planned line would go via Digbeth (using infrastructure already being built as part of the Eastside extension) to the proposed new Birmingham City FC stadium in Bordesley Green, Heartlands Hospital, the NEC, Birmingham Airport and then onto Arden Cross where the HS2 interchange will be as well as a planned to be a health and science campus.
The ambitious timeline for it to be built would be phase one in five years with the remainder completed within ten years – although previous experience of projects of this scale suggests that is incredibly ambitious, especially when its not funded yet (even if they state the government understand its importance and have been “sold” the vision). Its hoped phase one would at least be ready for the opening of Birmingham’s new stadium which is said to be 2030, but as it will need to go via Curzon Street and no Metro construction can start there until HS2 work is finished that makes it seem even less likely the timeline will be achieved. Or maybe we’re just being cynical about it all!
Richard Parker is quoted as saying: “We are working really closely with Government. I have spoken to the Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and taken Tom Wagner [CEO of Birmingham City FC owners] to Number 10, as we all want this to be joined up. We hope we have the support of ministers – they recognise this is not just a tram line, but will connect communities to each other and to huge investment opportunities.
“This is a massive opportunity for our region and the city of Birmingham and my role is to use my powers and commitment to ensure this happens quickly. What often happens is we need public funds to create infrastructure to lure in investors, in this case that has been turned on its head. We are connecting up a necklace of opportunity from the city centre out to north Solihull.”
A joint statement attributed to Mr Parker, Cllr John Cotton (Leader of Birmingham City Council) and Cllr Ian Courts (Leader of Solihull Council) said: “At the heart of that plan is the East Birmingham to North Solihull Metro extension, linking our communities to the two HS2 stations in Curzon Street and Arden Cross. These connections will be powerful anchors for inclusive growth, opening up access for opportunity, attracting new investment and making it easier for people to get to work, education and training. We are proud to be working across local and regional government on a single, long term plan with strong local partnerships, local accountability and a shared ambition through which the whole region will benefit. This nationally significant infrastructure will change lives. We’re excited to get started, and determined to make it work for everyone.”