New Brexit study centre proposes radical transport solutions for the West Midlands

Making the M6 Toll free to use, expanding superfast broadband, expanding the Midland Metro beyond existing proposals, bringing forward shelved railway investment and providing fast links from the Black Country to the new HS2 railway station are some of the measures that should be implemented if the West Midlands is to be successful in a post-Brexit economy.

The proposals are some of the measures included in an economic paper prepared by the new Centre for Brexit Studies, based at Birmingham City University.

The steps were outlined to delegates attending a conference marking the launch of the new centre, which is a first in the UK.

The conference highlighted the impact withdrawal from the EU could have on business, trade, human rights, energy, the environment and law both in the region and nationally.

The event also saw the unveiling of the economic paper, titled Making a success of Brexit, which has been drawn up by economists from the West Midlands Economic Forum working at the new centre.

The paper outlines the need for the region to maximise the positive opportunities presented by vote, and how investment in areas like key transport links and digital infrastructure could help boost the area’s economy.

It concludes making the toll motorway free to use would ease congestion in the region, speeding up the movement of goods and services.

It also said all steps should be taken to ensure average broadband download speeds were increased to 30Mbps with 100% region-wide coverage.

The expansion of the Midland Metro should be extended to cover Dudley, Walsall, the i54 business park – part of the Black Country Enterprise Zone and home to Jaguar Land Rover’s Engine Manufacturing Centre – Birmingham Airport and the proposed HS2 station.

In addition, bringing forward shelved railway investment would free up capacity elsewhere on the network, while reopening passenger services on the Sutton Park line would create alternate routes from Wolverhampton, Walsall and Aldridge to Birmingham Airport and the HS2 interchange.

Other measures suggested include investment in new cycle routes and reconnecting Chasewater to the Lichfield canal to open up Black Country tourism.

Professor Alex De Ruyter, director of research at Birmingham City University’s Business School and chair of the launch event, said: “Brexit presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities for the UK and it is important that people are seriously looking into all areas of the process.  

“Opening the centre gives us the chance to investigate the intricacies of such a complex and significant time in British history as well as present a resource which the public to tap in to.
 
“The report Making a success of Brexit is the first example of this and demonstrates how input from a range of sources of organisations can really help us make the most of the opportunities available.”

The Centre for Brexit Studies will promote engagement of both ‘Leave’ and ‘Remain’ standpoints, whilst providing collaborative opportunities with businesses, professional organisations and civil society.

Accessible to the general public, the centre will host conferences, workshops and seminars to share knowledge in relation to sectors expected to be impacted by Brexit, including cultural identity, hate crime and radicalisation, climate change and national security.