£20m funding for hub approved

Proposals to fund up to £20m for the UK Central Hub in Solihull alongside the HS2 development have been given the go-ahead.The Hub is a major driver of economic growth in the West Midlands, comprising a number of internationally important businesses and organisations, which include the NEC, Birmingham Airport, Jaguar Land Rover and Birmingham Business Park.The Hub also includes the 340-acre Arden Cross development site, which will be home to the new HS2 Interchange Station.The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) board has now approved funding of £19.95m to upgrade work on the key access point to the station and surrounding area, which will be critical for the future development of Arden Cross as a high-value, mixed-use site.This will allow for future widening of a new roundabout being built by HS2 Ltd over the railway line.Originally planned to only accommodate HS2-related traffic, the wider roundabout will support the additional traffic associated with regional growth, including plans to create a mixed-use development around the HS2 Interchange Station. The roundabout will also be the main access route to Arden Cross and will ensure there will be enough capacity for housing and economic growth that has the potential to create 6,400 new jobs and generate up to £426m GVA per annum.The plans for The Hub are being co-ordinated by the Urban Growth Company.Early preparatory work is already underway with more advanced work expected to start next year.