Coventry to join Metro tram network in upgrade plans

[dutchman]

A Metro tram service between Coventry and Birmingham will "happen ahead of HS2's arrival", transport firm Centro have confirmed.



The 25-mile link will run between Coventry and the planned HS2 high-speed rail station at Birmingham Airport.

Funding will come from the Local Connectivity Package (LCP), a £2bn package of improvements for West Midlands public transport.

The package also includes upgrades to railway stations and tracks.

The Metro currently links Birmingham with Wolverhampton.

'Enhancing public transport'

Steve Swingler, spokesman for Centro, the firm responsible for promoting and developing public transport in the West Midlands, said: "We want to get maximum benefits from the HS2 for people in the West Midlands.

"The Metro link from Coventry to Birmingham will give people the services they will need alongside the HS2, and enhance the local transport system.

"There is no specific date for work on the Metro link to begin as yet, but schemes within the LCP will need to happen ahead of HS2's arrival in 2026."

Sir Albert Bore, Birmingham City Council leader, announced details of the LCP on Friday.

He told the council's transport and economy scrutiny committee meeting that the authority was currently looking at how future transport routes could connect across the city to join HS2.

"We intend to take the next Midlands Metro route from the airport and HS2 Interchange Station and we hope onwards from there to Coventry."

Roger Lawrence, spokesman for the Integrated Transport Authority Shadow Board, which is made up of the leaders of the seven West Midland councils, said: "This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the West Midlands to secure jobs and boost the region's economy with the right local transport connections."

Other scheduled plans of the LCP include: capacity improvements on Birmingham's Snow Hill lines, electrification of lines between Walsall and Rugeley and Coventry to Leamington Spa, and extending the Midland Metro tram from St George's in Wolverhampton to Birmingham New Street and Centenary Square.