Blues target 2030 for 62,000-seat stadium

FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR £3BN SPORTS QUARTER

- JANE HAYNES Politics & People Editor

THE owners of Birmingham City FC hope to have their new mega stadium "and other parts of the Sports Quarter" open within five years after the Government stumped up vital millions for transport links.

Chairman Tom Wagner says a planning application will be submitted “by January” and that the first dig to create the £3 billion scheme will begin “the day it is granted”, with a 2030 stadium opening date targeted.

And West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has pledged to get the tram line ready “before the stadium is open”.

The two men were at St Andrew's alongside Chancellor Rachel Reeves and the area's MP, Shabana Mahmood, to official reveal news of a £2.4 billion transport treasure chest for the region, as reported by the Birmingham Mail.

Around £400 million will go towards laying a tram line from Curzon Street in the city centre to Blues’ proposed 62,000-seater stadium and ‘Sports Quarter’ in Bordesley Green.

Mr Wagner said he had always had faith that his plea for Government investment would be heeded, but was impressed at the speed of the intervention.

“Thankfully the Government acted very, very quickly,” he said.