MORE THAN £98million has been earmarked for projects designed to boost Solihull’s transport network.
The works including highway improvements linked to the HS2 interchange, new cycle routes into Solihull town centre, and plans to redevelop Solihull Station will be funded by the West Midlands City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS).
The CRSTS, which is overseen by the Department for Transport, is a five-year capital settlement aimed at supporting the region to implement a sustainable transport investment programme.
Working with individual councils and transport authorities across the region, The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) coordinated and submitted a bid to the DfT successfully securing a total funding allocation of £1.05billion for the region.
A report has been sent to Councillor Ken Hawkins, Solihull’s cabinet member for Environment and Infrastructure, which outlined the list of Solihull schemes the funding could support.
In total ten key Solihull schemes could receive a boost from CRSTS and receive full funding or funding for further work to take place:
Chester Road Corridor – Segregated Cycleway and Capacity Enhancement at Chelmunds Cross
A45 / Damson Parkway Multi-modal Junction Improvements
Multi-modal Access to HS2 Enhancement (development work)
Solihull Railway Station (development work)
Solihull Town Centre to Dickens Heath permanent cycle scheme
Solihull to Knowle permanent cycle scheme
UKC – Solihull – Dorridge bus priority route
West Coast Mainline and M42 Public Transport and Active Travel bridge links to HS2 Interchange
Highways Maintenance and Structures Programme
Community Liveability Programme
In addition to these schemes Solihull Council would deliver, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has CRSTS funding to deliver Sprint phase2 along the B425 Lode Lane and to extend the car park at Whitlocks End railway station.
Coun Ken Hawkins said: “These exciting and ambitious transport schemes will make a real difference to our communities.
“They could improve access to jobs, attract further investment and ensure our transport system responds to changing future demand.
“The fixed term nature of this funding will give us the certainty we need to get on with delivering these schemes.”
Transport Minister Baroness Vere said: “I am thrilled with Solihull’s vision for how its funding can be used to level up local transport infrastructure and provide better journeys for millions of people.
“The funding should support transformational schemes such as new high quality cycle routes into Solihull town centre, and be used to explore the redevelopment of the train station, creating new jobs, boosting the region’s economy, and giving local people the transport network they deserve.”
