Plans to build the new line – which has been touted for years – have heated up in recent weeks
12:57, 03 May 2025Updated 12:57, 03 May 2025
Illustration showing a future tram line running along Bordesley Green East Road past Heartlands Hospital (Image: Midland Metro Alliance)
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.
We 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.
READ MORE: £1 bn tram plan for Blues, NEC, HS2 and Birmingham Airport unveiled that will ‘change lives’
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.
They took their plan to Downing Street in April and have also had personal meetings with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and Reeves.
Government officials were urged to green light the project and deliver the funds to make it happen.
Where would the new tram line go?
It would run from Curzon Street, the new HS2 station, before heading via Digbeth and on to the east of the city.
It would pass by the entertainment hub being created at Digbeth Loc, and then on to Sports Quarter site at Bordesley Green.
It would later be extended out towards Heartlands Hospital, the NEC, Birmingham Airport and north Solihull, and to the HS2 interchange at Arden Cross.
It would also be a connection that would support developments at Washwood Heath, Bordesley Park and Tyseley Energy Park, all geared towards job creation, and to JLR Solihull and Rolls Royce Solihull.
How much would it cost?
The draft proposal, carrying the strapline ‘Invest a Little, Unlock a Lot’ makes the case that a relatively small investment in new transport connections – with an initial ask of £350-400 million – could support billions of pounds of new private-funder schemes and thousands of jobs – not least from Birmingham City FC’s owners.
Phase one of the line could be ready in five years – with the whole line completed inside a decade.
The total expected costs could run to £1billion.
When might it open?
The ambition is that this first phase would be ready for the opening of the Blues new stadium, currently slated for 2030, ensuring the go ahead for the £2.9billion scheme.
It’s hoped that the whole line would be completely finished within 10 years.
What has Richard Parker and the council said?
The West Midlands Mayor said: “We are working really closely with the Government.
“I have spoken to the Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and taken Tom Wagner to Number 10, as we all want this to be joined up.
“We hope we have the support of ministers – they recognise this is not just a tram line, but will connect communities to each other and to huge investment opportunities.
“This is a massive opportunity for our region and the city of Birmingham and my role is to use my powers and commitment to ensure this happens quickly.
“What often happens is we need public funds to create infrastructure to lure in investors, in this case that has been turned on its head. We are connecting up a necklace of opportunity from the city centre out to north Solihull.”
In a joint statement, Parker, Birmingham City Council leader John Cotton and Tory leader of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council Ian Courts said the shared plan was “a moment of real opportunity for East Birmingham and North Solihull”.
They said it would “bring new jobs, better transport, more homes and stronger communities to the people who live here”.
“At the heart of that plan is the East Birmingham to North Solihull Metro extension, linking our communities to the two HS2 stations in Curzon Street and Arden Cross,” the statement read.
“These connections will be powerful anchors for inclusive growth, opening up access for opportunity, attracting new investment and making it easier for people to get to work, education and training.
“This nationally significant infrastructure will change lives. We’re excited to get started, and determined to make it work for everyone.”
What have Blues said?
Tom Wagner has said it would be a ‘crime’ if the project was diluted or lost for the sake of investing in public transport that would also benefit the area’s 375,000 inhabitants.
Birmingham City FC’s CEO Jeremy Dale has repeated the point, saying: “There’s no point building a stadium for 60 to 70 thousand people if they can’t get out of the stadium.”