East Brum tram line 'a massive opportunity'

WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR ABOUT AMBITIOUS £1bn TRANSPORT SCHEME

- JANE HAYNES Politics & People Editor

AMBITIOUS plans to build a new tram line into East Birmingham and on to north Solihull have been described as a “massive opportunity” for the West Midlands.

The new Metro line would allow passengers to travel from the city centre, through Digbeth, before heading towards a new £2.9billion Blues super-stadium and sports quarter in Bordesley Green.

The Mail exclusively revealed that talks to build the new line - which would continue on to Heartlands Hospital, the NEC, BHX, and the HS2 interchange - were heating up.

The mega-proposal has reportedly already been sold to senior government figures including Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Local politicians have thrown their support behind it and West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said it would be a “massive opportunity” for the region.

HOW HAS THIS ALL COME ABOUT?

The new line has been the subject of speculation for years, but has never materialised.

However, we revealed on Friday that high level negotiations between senior figures had taken place over the last few weeks. The project was described as nationally significant - comparable to building a new runway at Heathrow Airport.

Ministers have been personally lobbied by Richard Parker and American investor Tom Wagner who is the CEO of Blues' owners Knighthead.