Could Solihull finally be getting a Metro extension?

The prospect of a Metro extension reaching Solihull remains on the table, with council officers confirming that work is continuing on plans for a new rapid-transit connection into the borough.

However, residents could still face a wait before the project becomes reality, with funding yet to be secured and a number of business cases, approvals and development stages still to be completed.

The proposed extension forms part of wider plans to improve transport connections across the West Midlands, including links towards the UK Central Hub and the future Arden Cross development.

The first phase of the wider Metro project is planned to extend from Birmingham city centre towards the planned Birmingham City FC Powerhouse stadium and sports quarter in Bordesley Green, with an ambition for it to be open to passengers by 2031.

Longer-term plans could see the network continue towards the Arden Cross site in Solihull, where the new HS2 interchange is planned.

The possibility of a Solihull extension was discussed at a recent Solihull Council scrutiny meeting, where councillor Kathryn Thomas asked how confident the authority was of securing funding for the project and whether space was being protected for a Metro route as the Central Hub plans develop.

Perry Wardle, the council's director of economy and infrastructure, said national funding would be required alongside regional funding.

He said the project would not be delivered directly by Solihull Council, but that the authority would be a "critical partner" in its development and delivery.

Mr Wardle said the scheme would still need to go through "significant development, funding processes, business cases and approvals" before the council could be confident about delivery.

He added that work was already taking place to look at the development of a Metro scheme.

Where could the Metro go in Solihull?

Solihull Council's draft local plan identifies several potential rapid-transit corridors which could improve connections with the UK Central Hub.

These include a route from Digbeth and east Birmingham towards the Hub, a connection from Blythe Valley through central Solihull towards the Hub and Chelmsley Wood, and a route from Hall Green through Solihull Town Centre and towards the Hub.

The longer-term plans are particularly significant because of the development planned around Arden Cross and the future HS2 interchange.

The HS2 station is expected to be served by automated people movers, which will connect passengers with Birmingham International railway station, the NEC and Birmingham Airport.

Mr Wardle told councillors that the automated people mover would provide a rapid connection between those destinations, meaning a future Metro route would not necessarily need to run through all of the major development sites.

Instead, the focus would be on reaching the UK Central Hub and providing an interchange between the different transport networks.

The automated people movers are expected to carry around 2,100 passengers per hour once operational.

Solihull Council leader Karen Grinsell has previously backed the longer-term plans, saying the later phase would give residents better access to jobs, healthcare and wider transport links.

She has also said she wants work to progress "as soon as possible" on the project.

For now, however, the Metro extension remains a proposal rather than a funded construction project.

The council's latest update means the ambition for a Metro connection into Solihull remains in place, but securing the money needed to turn the plans into reality will be the next major hurdle.