Council seeks to unlock £3m of Enterprise Zone funds for Metro extension planning

PLANS to further extend the Midland Metro to Birmingham’s Centenary Square will go before city council chiefs next week.

If approved, £3m will be spent on development and design work.

The Metro is currently being extended from Snow Hill station to New Street station but transport bosses are keen that it should eventually progress down Broad Street to Five ways with an extension past the Town Hall to Centenary Square the next step.

The council is seeking approval to release Enterprise Zone resources to enable the continued development, which it says will complement the wider Paradise Circus redevelopment programme.

It is the first major infrastructure project brought forward through the Enterprise Zone Investment Plan, supporting growth and investment in the city centre.

Funded through the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), the Enterprise Zone is made up of 26 investment sites across the centre of Birmingham with, it is suggested, the potential to create 40,000 new jobs and boost the local economy by £2bn.

Councillor Tahir Ali, cabinet member for development, jobs and skills, said: “Centenary Square is one of the largest public spaces in the city and this project will deliver public transport to two key sites – Paradise Circus and Arena Central.

“This will help link people to new employment opportunities, provide an alternative to driving and connect people and the business community to mainline train stations.”

The plans will go before Birmingham City Council’s cabinet on Monday.

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