A major £1 billion plan to build a new tram line linking East Birmingham to north Solihull has been unveiled – a proposal that is expected to ‘transform lives’ after weeks of high level negotiations.
The proposed Metro line would run from Birmingham city centre, through Digbeth and Bordesley Green, to key sites including Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham Airport, the NEC, and the HS2 interchange at Arden Cross.
It would also serve a planned £2.9 billion Birmingham City FC stadium and sports quarter, expected to open by 2030.
The proposal, titled “Invest a Little, Unlock a Lot,” is being pitched to the Government as a way to drive regeneration, create jobs, and unlock billions in private investment.
An initial Government contribution of £350-£400 million is being sought, reports Birmingham Mail.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, who has led lobbying efforts alongside Knighthead CEO, Tom Wagner, said: ‘We hope [ministers] 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.’
Parker and Wagner took the plans to Downing Street in April and have held meetings with Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.
A major £1 billion plan to build a new tram line linking East Birmingham to north Solihull has been unveiled
The proposed Metro line would run from Birmingham city centre, through Digbeth and Bordesley Green, to key sites including Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham Airport, the NEC
The route would begin at the new HS2 Curzon Street station and travel via the Digbeth Loc entertainment hub and the Sports Quarter in Bordesley Green before extending towards the NEC, Airport, and HS2 interchange in North Solihull.
The objective is that this first phase would coincide with the opening of the all-new Birmingham City Football Club stadium in 2030.
The Blues, under American ownership, is planning a significant move to a new stadium and sports complex as part of a £2.9 billion project, which will see thousands of sports and entertainment fans ferried to and from the sports village.
Later, the Metro route would be extended out towards Heartlands Hospital, the NEC, Birmingham Airport and north Solihull, to the HS2 interchange at Arden Cross.
Labour leader of Birmingham City Council John Cotton, Conservative Solihull Council leader Ian Courts, and Mayor Parker issued a joint statement calling the scheme ‘a moment of real opportunity for East Birmingham and North Solihull.’
They added the shared plan would ‘bring new jobs, better transport, more homes and stronger communities to the people who live here.’
The project has been under discussion for over a decade but failed to progress due to lack of funding.
However, supporters believe momentum is now firmly behind the scheme.
The proposal, titled “Invest a Little, Unlock a Lot,” is being pitched to the Government as a way to drive regeneration, create jobs, and unlock billions in private investment
The objective is that this first phase would coincide with the opening of the all-new Birmingham City Football Club stadium in 2030
Later, the Metro route would be extended out towards Heartlands Hospital, the NEC, Birmingham Airport and north Solihull, to the HS2 interchange at Arden Cross
In Parliament on Thursday 1 May, MP Liam Byrne praised the proposal, calling for the creation of a Mayoral Development Corporation to oversee the building of the tram line and to help maximise the speed and delivery of the proposed plan.
While Government funding has not yet been confirmed, an announcement could come as early as the June spending review, as local leaders say they are confident their message has been heard.
Meanwhile, a brand new £1billion Tube-style transport system is finally set to launch in Wales – and it promises to transform travel across the South of the country.
Dubbed the ‘Welsh Tube’, the ambitious project – over 10 years in the making – will stretch a staggering 105 miles (170km), linking the capital Cardiff with outlying towns including Merthyr Tydfil, Treherbert and Aberdare.
And just like the London Underground, it’ll see trains running as frequently as every five minutes in some areas.
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