Plans to deliver a programme of tram extensions, road upgrades and railway projects across Birmingham and the wider region have been welcomed by industry commentators.

 

Members of the West Midlands Combined Authority agreed to the new 2026 Delivery Plan for Transport last week. This comes following a six week public consultation over the summer.

 

The document, prepared by Transport for West Midlands, sets out a blueprint for the region’s transport developments over the next decade and aims to ensure readiness for the arrival of High Speed 2 in 2026.

 

“Transport is key as we work to ensure the West Midlands punches its weight nationally and globally,” said the Combined Authority’s lead member for transport Roger Lawrence.

 

He added: “The Delivery Plan maps out the way forward for transport in this region in delivering future prosperity. Now that this blueprint has been approved we can get to work in putting it into action.”

 

The plan includes a mix of committed schemes, potential projects for which funding will be sought and a set of longer term proposed initiatives.

 

Projects to be built over the coming decade include £3.4Bn of Midland Metro tram extensions serving, among other places, a new High Speed 2 station at Birmingham Curzon Street as well as Solihull and Dudley & Sandwell.

 

The plan also features a new heavy rail connection between Walsall and Wolverhampton, restoration of the Camp Hill railway line in Birmingham and several motorway improvements including key junction upgrades.

 

Following the public consultation a £165M Strategic and Local Cycle Network Development Programme has also been added to existing cycling schemes in the delivery plan.

 

“These are exciting schemes that will transform transport in our region and steer investment here to create new jobs and homes, building on the significant growth and development that is already happening through HS2,” said Roger Lawrence.

 

CIHT West Midlands Region chair Chris Taylor welcomed the delivery plan. “To see this amount of investment in the West Midlands’ transport infrastructure is fantastic news,” he said, adding that it will support continued economic growth and development in the region.

 

“We see one of the biggest challenges being the construction of this wide package of measures while at the same time keeping the region moving and businesses operating as usual,” he added.

 

Confederation of British Industry West Midlands director Richard Butler said: “West Midlands firms want to see a long term strategy which improves connectivity, capacity and resilience, so will welcome this 10 year delivery plan.

 

“Companies recognise that there is an over reliance on roads in the region, and are keen to see a balanced approach, focusing both on improving public transport and tackling the congestion that holds back productivity.”

 

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce chief executive Paul Faulkner also welcomed the plan, which he described as “long overdue”. He said: “Transport improvements are vital to bringing prosperity to the region, especially for the business community, which needs to move people and goods quickly and efficiently.

 

“The improvements embodied in the plan will go some way to achieving that aim as we prepare for the arrival of HS2.”