What £1bn Budget announcement means for travel in the West Midlands

Some of the planned tram, train, cycling and electric car projects are not likely to go ahead unless alternative funding can be found

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Mark CardwellLocal Democracy Reporter

15:25, 25 OCT 2021

A West Midlands Metro tram on Corporation Street - the line will be out of service for at least 11 weeks from July 25 while the track is relaid at a cost of £5 million — A West Midlands Metro tram on Corporation Street (Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)

The region’s £1.05 billion travel allocation means not all planned projects are likely to go ahead – but the Mayor has named tram routes a “priority”.

It was reported in September the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA’s) board had approved a bid to Government for £1.7 billion in funding for transport projects.

Among these were preparations for four new planned Metro routes – including a track starting at Five Ways in Birmingham and running along Hagley Road at least as far as Bearwood, Sandwell.

Now, an announcement ahead of this week’s Autumn Budget statement has revealed the region is set to receive £1.05 billion for major transport works.

This is in line with what the authority hoped to receive but lower than the £1.7 billion total bid for – meaning some projects discussed in September may not see the light of day until further funding can be found.

Alternative funding sources will be sought for any projects which cannot go ahead this time, a WMCA spokesperson said.

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Items included in the West Midlands’ bid to the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) fund included:

Preparation for Metro links going from Wolverhampton to New Cross Hospital, Wednesbury to Walsall and Brierley Hill to Stourbridge and along Hagley Road
The development of platform four at Snow Hill
Aldridge Station railway station
Preparation to reopen the Sutton Park railway line – currently used for freight only
Plans for a new railway station at Tettenhall
The redevelopment of Solihull Railway Station
A new rail and bus interchange Sutton Coldfield town centre
16 new cycle routes proposed to further develop the “Starley Network” – including an extension of the Birmingham A38 cycleway to Longbridge and Kersley to Coventry City Centre
Around 1,000 new electric vehicle charging points to “support the switch from petrol and diesel” and ten ultra-fast charging stations for commercial vehicles
The completion of Coventry Very Light Rail
An expansion of bus “On-Demand” and other “demand-responsive” transport
Four new park and ride sites
£8 million towards road safety measures to reduce serious accidents

Transport leaders across the region will now be consulted on how the money should be spent.

Ahead of Budget day on October 27, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said no decisions have yet been made.

He said: “Now we have the incredibly exciting confirmation of the £1bn plus transport funding allocation - the largest we have received - we are getting to work with our local authority colleagues to draw up a detailed plan of investment.

“Whilst no final decisions have been made on where the money will be spent, it is no secret that the expansion of our tram network is a key priority that will help us to both connect communities and tackle the climate emergency.”