Birmingham has been chosen as the construction headquarters for High Speed 2 and a new regeneration company has been created to lead redevelopment around the city's HS2 terminus at Curzon Street.

More than 1500 employees on the rail project will be based in the city and some will begin working there as early as next year. They will include engineers and designers responsible for detailed construction plans for the track, stations and signalling.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "By locating the new HS2 engineering headquarters in Birmingham we are bringing skilled job opportunities into the area, spreading HS2’s benefits beyond those using the new rail line."

The new regeneration company for Curzon Street will oversee the creation of offices and homes in the area, which is also set to see an extension to the Midland Metro tram network into the rail terminus.

Also this week the West Midlands region has launched a new integrated transport authority, which aims to drive investment in transport projects that underpin economic growth.

The new authority brings together seven metropolitan councils: Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

It will be responsible for transport strategy, budgets, prioritising schemes and coordinating bids for funding and will work with the region's three Local Enterprise Partnerships.

Authority chairman Roger Lawrence said: “This new authority, working with the LEPs and local councils, will enable us to speak with one voice on transport and help the region deliver those schemes that can best secure our plans for economic growth.”

Centro, the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive, will continue to deliver transport projects and work with bus, rail and tram operators to improve services and infrastructure.

(Photo: Birmingham News Room)

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