Birmingham team to lobby PM today on project funding issues

BIRMINGHAM City Council Leader Sir Albert Bore will lead a delegation of political leaders and representatives of the business community to meet Prime Minister David Cameron today.

‘Team Birmingham’ will be seeking government support for the city’s economic development plans.

And in light of yesterday’s Cabinet re-shuffle, business leaders will be seeking reassurances on the HS2 project and on Birmingham Airport’s inclusion in the Government’s future aviation plans.

Sir Albert will be joined by Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership chair Andy Street and Jerry Blackett, chief executive of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.

Sir Albert said:  “Birmingham is at the heart of the country’s future economic recovery. To do this we need more investment in our transport infrastructure, the development of a business investment fund, and assistance to raise skill levels in every sector.”

“We need to develop partnerships and see the government as a key player. We will be making positive suggestions that would benefit the country as a whole, not just Birmingham.

“I am delighted that we will be joined by representatives of business community and the Conservative and Liberal Democrat groups. This is ‘Team Birmingham’ batting for the city and showing that Birmingham is united in our determination to bring prosperity for all those who live here.”

Regional transport issues are also likely to be on the agenda.

Jerry Blackett has already written to the new transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin – appointed in yesterday’s Cabinet re-shuffle – urging him to be bold over decisions surrounding HS2 and regional airports.

“I would like to applaud the good work that your predecessors, Ms Greening, Mr Hammond and Lord Adonis, have done on HS2 and I look forward to working with you on this important national infrastructure project,” his letter says.

“HS2 will deliver very real economic benefits to the West Midlands and will free up significant capacity on our creaking West Coast Mainline.  

“The WCML is currently the country’s least reliable mainline railway despite billions of pounds of investment and upgrades and is the best example of why we are opposed to a patch and mend approach to railway capacity.”

Blackett went on to say: “There is significant capacity at our regional airports.  It is wrong that so many passengers outside of London and the South East are required to travel many hours to Heathrow to access direct flights to emerging and established markets. 

“Heathrow and Gatwick currently provide 99 per cent of the UK’s direct flights to BRIC countries. This situation has arisen because it suits airlines rather than passengers.  

“We feel that there is a great opportunity to ensure that the North and the Midlands have access to the direct flights that they need to prosper and we would look forward to working with you to ensure that the whole of the UK has first class aviation connectivity.”