![\"Illustration](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2_EBS-Metro-1.jpg\")
Illustration showing a future tram line running along Bordesley Green East Road past Heartlands Hospital (Image: Midland Metro Alliance)<\/p>\nPlans to build the new line – which has been touted for years – have heated up in recent weeks<\/p>\n
12:57, 03 May 2025Updated 12:57, 03 May 2025<\/p>\n
Illustration showing a future tram line running along Bordesley Green East Road past Heartlands Hospital (Image: Midland Metro Alliance)<\/p>\n
Ambitious plans to build a new tram line into East Birmingham<\/a> and on to north Solihull have been described as a “massive opportunity” for the West Midlands.<\/p>\n The new Metro line would allow passengers to travel from the city centre, through Digbeth, before heading towards a new \u00a32.9billion Blues super-stadium and sports quarter in Bordesley Green<\/a>.<\/p>\n We exclusively revealed<\/a> that talks to build the new line – which would continue on to Heartlands Hospital, the NEC, BHX, and the HS2 interchange – were heating up.<\/p>\n READ MORE: <\/strong>\u00a31 bn tram plan for Blues, NEC, HS2 and Birmingham Airport unveiled that will ‘change lives’<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The mega proposal has reportedly already been sold to senior government figures – including Chancellor Rachel Reeves.<\/p>\n Local politicians have thrown their support behind it and West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said it would be a “massive opportunity” for the region.<\/p>\n How has this all come about?<\/p>\n The new line has been the subject of speculation for years, but has never materialised.<\/p>\n However, we revealed on Friday<\/a> that high level negotiations between senior figures had taken place over the last few weeks.<\/p>\n The project was described as nationally significant – comparable to building a new runway at Heathrow Airport.<\/p>\n Ministers have been personally lobbied by Richard Parker and American investor Tom Wagner who is the CEO of Blues’ owners Knighthead.<\/p>\n They took their plan to Downing Street<\/a> in April and have also had personal meetings with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and Reeves.<\/p>\n Government officials were urged to green light the project and deliver the funds to make it happen.<\/p>\n Where would the new tram line go?<\/p>\n It would run from Curzon Street, the new HS2 station, before heading via Digbeth<\/a> and on to the east of the city.<\/p>\n It would pass by the entertainment hub being created at Digbeth Loc, and then on to Sports Quarter site at Bordesley Green<\/a>.<\/p>\n It would later be extended out towards Heartlands Hospital, the NEC, Birmingham Airport<\/a> and north Solihull<\/a>, and to the HS2 interchange at Arden Cross.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n How much would it cost?<\/p>\n 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 \u00a3350-400 million – could support billions of pounds of new private-funder schemes and thousands of jobs – not least from Birmingham<\/a> City FC’s owners.<\/p>\n Phase one of the line could be ready in five years – with the whole line completed inside a decade.<\/p>\n The total expected costs could run to \u00a31billion.<\/p>\n When might it open?<\/p>\n 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 \u00a32.9billion scheme.<\/p>\n It’s hoped that the whole line would be completely finished within 10 years.<\/p>\n What has Richard Parker and the council said?<\/p>\n The West Midlands Mayor said: “We are working really closely with the Government.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n