West Midlands Approves £50m Advance to Fast-Track Tram and Rail Schemes
- Safer Highways
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
An advance of £50 million has been approved by West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) board to accelerate early-stage work on a series of major transport schemes across the region.
The funding will bring forward design, surveys and business case development for projects including a new tram extension, railway station upgrades and the continued development of Coventry’s Very Light Rail programme.
Key Projects Supported
Schemes set to benefit from the early funding include:
Midland Metro extension to the Sports Quarter in east Birmingham, serving the regeneration site where Birmingham City’s new Powerhouse Stadium is expected to open in 2030
Upgrades to Witton and Aston railway stations to support the expansion of Villa Park
Progression of Coventry’s Very Light Rail (VLR) scheme
The WMCA board has already earmarked £400 million for transport links to the Sports Quarter and £25 million for improvements at Witton and Aston stations.
The £50 million approval allows technical and preparatory work to move forward ahead of the main funding window.
Mayor Richard Parker said:
“This funding means we can complete essential design and survey work at an earlier stage and be ready to get spades in the ground next year.”
Part of £2.4bn Funding Settlement
The advance is drawn from the region’s £2.4 billion Transport for City Regions settlement, which will be provided by Government between 2027 and 2032.
That wider funding package is intended to support investment in new and upgraded road, rail, tram, bus and active travel infrastructure across the West Midlands.
By bringing forward early development work, the WMCA aims to reduce delays once the main funding period begins and ensure projects are ready to progress into delivery.
The move reflects a broader shift towards pipeline planning in regional transport investment, allowing schemes to mature technically and commercially before entering construction phases.
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