PLANS to create a new ‘turn-up-and-go’ Metro and Sprint across the region are in the pipeline.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has confirmed plans are being developed for the next five rapid transit routes which will head through East Birmingham and into North Solihull.
This comes as part of a £6.1billion investment to deliver a transport revolution across the region, expanding Metro, bus, rail, cycling and walking networks was announced by TfWM – the transport arm of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, said: “By building a ‘turn up and go’ network we can make the most impact in persuading people to leave their cars at home and avoid busy, congested roads.
“And, with at least £2.6billion more to invest over the next few years, we are now turning our attention to what comes next, such as taking Metro further along Hagley Road and extending the tram route from Digbeth through East Birmingham and North Solihull.
“Alongside this we have identified a priority list of further routes so that as we pull in still more funding we have projects ready to go. This approach means we can grow our network in a clear and coordinated way to deliver the most benefit for our travelling public.”
Since 2017, a £3.5billion investment secured by TfWM has boosted the region’s transport network with scores of large and small projects.
These include a major Sprint rapid bus route stretching from Walsall to Solihull, a fleet of more than 300 zero-emission electric vehicles in Coventry and a cycle hire scheme across eight town and city centres.
Linked to this, is investment in payment systems and passenger information to allow people to better plan their journeys and select and pay for their tickets across all transport modes and operators.
A further £2.6billion has already been secured to further improve the transport system until 2032 – meaning at least £6.1billion will be invested in the region’s transport over 15 years to make people’s journeys more convenient, quicker and greener, while helping to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.
The next two rapid transit routes, for which detailed business cases are now being worked up, include further extending the line from Digbeth, through East Birmingham and North Solihull.
Plans are also being worked up to extend the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro route. A rapid transit route will also be introduced on the A38 between Birmingham and Longbridge.
In tandem with these, the ground-breaking Very Light Rail technology, which could build tram systems for half the cost, in half the time of traditional light rail, is being developed in the region with the construction of a demonstrator track in Coventry city centre planned for later this year.
