Statement: We back Midlands Rail Hub
We would also stress that we think the plans can be better shaped to avoid loss of buildings, so encourage businesses and organisations to engage with the consultation on the basis that plans can still be shaped towards a better mutual outcome.
The Midlands Rail Hub Plan is a project of vital importance to the future of rail travel in the city and wider region.
New Street Station is full. The proposals currently being consulted on will create rail capacity. For the city, this means the Cross-city Line can go back every ten minutes, it will cut journey times on the Camp Hill Line and enable more trains to be added in future.
One of the most frequent responses we get as a campaign is that Birmingham needs better walking, wheeling, cycling, train, bus and tram alternatives before Brummies will leave their car at home for some trips or consider ditching it altogether.”
We acknowledge that the current plans have a hefty footprint, which is why we will be submitting a response emphasising the facilitation of businesses and community assets around arches and viaducts.
We are also feeling the impact. Our monthly public meeting takes place at The Warehouse on Allison Street – a hub of small businesses as well as climate and transport activism – which is currently proposed to be demolished for site access.
We have been pleased to see Birmingham Friends of the Earth to acknowledge that the proposals are necessary while engaging constructively and critically with the early proposals. We encourage Digbeth’s wider community to do the same as ultimately the plans mean more people arrive into Digbeth every day.
