West Midlands Metro to Solihull: We need tram extension with stops at NEC and HS2 station at pace

As part of billions of pounds of investment in transport infrastructure in England Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced on Wednesday, (June 4), that £2.4 billion would be used for key transport projects in the West Midlands.

Around £3-400 million of this is now earmarked for extending the Metro tram line from Birmingham city centre to Birmingham City Football Club’s planned new super-stadium and £2.9 billion sports quarter in Bordesley Green.

The aim is for this phase 1 of the project to be ready by the end of the decade.

But the longer term ambition is the metro line would continue further out to Solihull with stops at the NEC, Birmingham Airport and the new HS2 interchange station at Arden Cross in a phase two of the landmark project.

West Midlands Combined Authority says the aim is that the borough would see more investment and growth with the knock on effect of job creation and “better homes” for Solihull residents.

The borough was mentioned in the chancellor’s Greater Manchester speech in which she announced: “Investment in the West Midlands, backing (West Midlands) Mayor Richard Parker’s plans to unlock more than £3 billion of private investment in an area with some of the lowest levels of economic activity in all of the UK.

“With the potential to catalyse the regeneration of east Birmingham and of Solihull.”

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Reacting to the announcement Councillor Karen Grinsell – Solihull Council’s recently elected new leader – said: “I welcome this commitment to improve connectivity for north Solihull, Birmingham Airport and the UK Central Hub.

“Once the later phase is built our residents will have better access to jobs, healthcare and wider transport links and these proposals should be developed at pace.

“I am excited for work to get underway as soon as possible to deliver this vital project.”

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Mayor Parker said: “This funding means we can now deliver a new line to the sports quarter – connecting it to Birmingham city centre and unlocking one of the most significant private investments our region has ever seen.

“But this is just the beginning. This investment unlocks a nationally significant infrastructure project that will transform east Birmingham and north Solihull into one of the UK’s key growth corridors – driving thousands of new homes and jobs and bringing opportunity to communities that have been held back for too long.”

Tom Wagner, the CEO of Birmingham City’s owners Knighthead said the announcement was a springboard for the club’s “transformative project” that will bring “huge benefits to the people of east Birmingham and the wider region in the shape of jobs and opportunities”.

Prior to the announcement, last month the former leader and now deputy leader of the authority, Councillor Ian Courts had said: “We cannot afford delays.

“This project must be funded quickly, supported fully by key stakeholders, and delivered efficiently so that we make the most of the fantastic opportunity it represents.”

West Midlands’ announcement is part of a wider package totalling more than £15 billion nationally, and was made ahead of the chancellor delivering her Spending Review next week.