Plans for Birmingham International HS2 station have been given the effective go-ahead by Solihull Council after its cabinet agreed to submit its £286m business case to government.
The case sets out the creation of a “multi-modal” hub bringing together future high speed rail, existing rail, air travel, trams, buses, private vehicles, taxis and bicycles through seamless connections to Birmingham Airport and the new HS2 station.
It follows an 18-month feasibility study led by the Urban Growth Company, which was set up by Solihull Council in 2016.
The business case will now be submitted to the WMCA and the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership to secure funding to progress the project to design stage and delivery.
Nick Brown, UGC, said: “With the HS2 Interchange Station on its way, major growth at Birmingham Airport and the NEC, and nearby Jaguar Land Rover going from strength-to-strength, passenger numbers at Birmingham International Station are forecast to triple over the next 20 years.
“It has the potential to be one of the busiest stations in the UK but without this transformation it will be a major barrier to sustainable economic growth here in Solihull, and that will impact on the wider West Midlands.”
The UGC will continue working with regional and central government to secure funding from a range of national and local sources to deliver the project by December 2025.
To send feedback, e-mail alex.peace@egi.co.uk or tweet @egalexpeace or @estatesgazette
