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East Birmingham Tram Line
26 June 2023
Lead MP
Liam Byrne
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
EconomyEmploymentTransportBenefits & WelfareLocal Government
Other Contributors: 0
At a Glance
Liam Byrne raised concerns about east birmingham tram line in the House of Commons. A government minister responded.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Liam Byrne raised the issue of building a rapid transit system through east Birmingham to connect up new high-speed stations at Curzon Street and Birmingham International. He highlighted that East Birmingham has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, with over a third of its population under the age of 25, making it rich in talent but poor in wealth. The area is set for economic transformation due to High Speed 2 (HS2), which will reduce travel time between Birmingham International and Canary Wharf to about one hour and 10 minutes. Byrne stressed that without adequate infrastructure, such as a tram system, the new jobs created around the NEC, Curzon Street, and Arden Cross could be out of reach for local residents due to poor connectivity. The proposed 15-mile east Birmingham tramline was first suggested in 1988 but has seen little progress since; Byrne called on the government to provide funding and support for the project.
Government Response
Huw Merriman acknowledged Liam Byrne's case for transport infrastructure in east Birmingham, emphasising the Government’s commitment to levelling up the region. The Minister highlighted significant local funding opportunities through the West Midlands Combined Authority and the city region sustainable transport settlement which allocated more than £1 billion in capital funding. He mentioned specific projects such as improvements on the A45 corridor and an extension of the metro route eastwards, backed by over £131 million from the Government’s local growth fund programme. Merriman encouraged Byrne to consult with Mayor Andy Street regarding proposals for extending the metro through east Birmingham to Solihull and Birmingham Airport. Additionally, he addressed Byrne's three points: providing a statement of principle and policy on rapid transit in East Birmingham; meeting with East Birmingham MPs to discuss ideas; and supporting Birmingham’s levelling-up bid. Merriman also discussed opportunities presented by HS2 for economic growth in the area.
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