Major transport plan set for council backing

A plan designed to transform Birmingham’s transport system looks set to be backed by the council.Birmingham City Council’s cabinet is to vote on whether or not to adopt the Birmingham Transport Plan (BTP) – which aims to set out the vision for transport investment in the period to 2031 – at a cabinet meeting on 12 October.The plan is centred around a number of key principles.These include the change in allocation of road space away from single occupancy private cars, and the transformation of the city centre through the creation of a network of pedestrian streets and public spaces.Additionally, where development potential exists, land currently occupied by car parking will be put to “more productive use”.According to the council, the plan aims to support the creation of jobs, development of new skills and inward investment, as well as reduce the negative impacts of transport on the environment.BPD will also be provided through joint working between the council, national government, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), Transport for West Midlands, the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), neighbouring local authorities and businesses.