19.09.17
WMCA confirms £27.5m funding for new HS2 Curzon tram stop
A £27.5m funding package has been granted by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to support the construction of a new Midland Metro tram stop at the proposed HS2 Curzon station.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) will also benefit from an additional £500,000 allocated by Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP to create public areas at Birmingham’s new Curzon station.
The move represents a key part of the council’s Curzon Masterplan and Curzon Investment Plan, which explains how growth and regeneration opportunities will be unlocked around the new Birmingham Curzon station.
Central to delivering these objectives are five ‘Big Moves’ – a programme of measures that have been devised to integrate the new station into the city centre.
These include the station design, to create a landmark building and arrival experience at Birmingham Curzon; Paternoster Place, a wide pedestrian bridge over the WCML linking into Digbeth; Curzon Promenade and Curzon Square; Station Square and Moor Street Queensway, creating ‘one station’ with pedestrian links to New Street Station and the city centre; and Curzon Station Metro stop – which will be part of the extension to the city centre into Digbeth.
“This announcement is just one more step in what is the biggest investment in public transport infrastructure since the Victorians,” said Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands.
“HS2 is the catalyst for Metro extensions, railway lines being reopened and cycling and walking investment. This funding from the WMCA will be vital in linking the Metro to HS2 as well as continuing the transformation of this part of the city centre.”
Cllr Ian Ward, interim leader of Birmingham City Council, stated that the new funds marked “a significant and exciting step” towards realising the council’s ambitions for Birmingham and the wider region.
“Birmingham Curzon station will further develop the city’s position as a world-class destination and this work is the start of plans to make sure that the station is a catalyst for inclusive economic growth,” he explained.
Mike Lyons, programme director for HS2 Ltd, added: “HS2 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the economic geography of the country. It will connect eight of the UK’s 10 biggest cities, improve capacity and support job creation.
“Birmingham is already seeing the benefits of the HS2 programme as it prepares for the arrival of the first train in 2026, and once fully completed the city will sit at the heart of Britain’s new high-speed rail network.”
The development of Curzon Street station will see significant regeneration opportunities created and help connect the city centre to Digbeth, he explained: “We welcome the progress the city and the region are making in preparation for this transformational infrastructure project.”
Back in October, an application was also submitted by WMCA for £137m of DfT cash to build a HS2 station tram extension.
The countdown is on to get your entries in for this year’s UKRIA. Closing date is 25 September. ENTER NOW!