Solihull’s HS2 ambition officially unveiled

The UK Central Solihull Urban Growth Company (UGC) has formally asked HS2 Ltd to upgrade the current plans for a parkway-style station on the 350-acre site known as Arden Cross, situated on Junction 6 of the M42 motorway adjacent to Birmingham Airport and the National Exhibition Centre.

The UGC, backed by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority, is the first organisation to formally propose such changes to an HS2 station site and Managing Director, Huw Rhys Lewis, said it was a sign of the region’s ambition.

“The UK Central Hub is already home to Birmingham Airport, the NEC, Solihull, Jaguar Land Rover, Birmingham Business Park and Arden Cross. Our recently published Hub Growth & Infrastructure Plan coordinates those organisations’ individual plans, looks at the infrastructure needed to make it all happen, and predicts the creation of up to 77,500 jobs, up to 4,000 homes, 775,000 sq metres of commercial space and up to £4.1bn GVA as a result.”

Changes range from altering bridges, moving roads and creating new landscape features to revising car park layouts, incorporating pedestrianised connections and making provisions for other future public transport links.

The cost of the proposed changes to the existing plans will be met by the West Midlands Combined Authority through its HS2 Growth Strategy Fund secured as part of its Devolution Agreement.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “HS2 is one of the biggest public sector infrastructure investments ever in this country and the West Midlands is uniquely positioned to benefit from this project.

“This submission demonstrates our ambition in making the most of HS2, putting this part of the region at the heart of the UK’s high speed rail network, with easy access to an international airport and the UK’s motorway network. This all combines to make it the best connected place in the country, something we need to make the most of.”

Chris Loughran, Deputy Chair for Delivery at GBSLEP, said:

“We’ve long recognised the potential of the UK Central Hub to drive nationally-significant economic growth. Getting the station and its immediate surroundings right is absolutely critical to ensure that we maximise the benefits of HS2’s arrival in Greater Birmingham and Solihull for our businesses and our communities.”

HS2 Ltd is expected to begin evaluating the requests immediately with a decision to be included in the Government’s Autumn Statement in November.