West Midlands 'Movement for Growth' plan aims to steer £3.4bn of transport investment

A consultation has been launched on the expansion of the West Midlands transport network with schemes that the conurbation's combined authority believes can best unlock growth.

The plan aims to ensure that all parts of the conurbation are 'plugged in' to two planned new High Speed Rail stations, and to steer transport investment to priority corridors to underpin the creation of 0.5m new jobs by 2030. The plan outlines the expanion of the Midland Metro tram network, new suburban rail ines, cycle routes and motorway upgrades in response to a predicted 1.2m increase in daily journeys by 2030.

The draft suggests extending the tram to the new HS2 station in Birmingham and a new route in Brierley Hill, a redeveloped Coventry railway station, and improvements to junction six of the M42. The consultation comes as the voters prepare to go to the polls next week to elect a 'Metro Mayor'.