Funding boost for Solihull’s HS2 Interchange

Plans to create a sustainable urban quarter around the HS2 Interchange Station in Solihull have been given a £9.8m funding boost.The Urban Growth Company (UGC) has worked with Solihull Council to secure devolution deal cash from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to change the designs of the site.The principles of designing new infrastructure and transport connections were also agreed, with a final deal to be signed this month. UGC and Solihull Council are now working with HS2 Ltd about how the design process will be managed to support the vision for the new Interchange Station site over the next two years. This paves the way for significant development at the site near the NEC and Birmingham Airport.Changes to the plans include the creation of a plaza and public transport interchange to create a “sense of arrival” at the HS2 station.Surface car parks could be replaced with multi-story facilities to free up land, while pedestrian links would also be improved.The plans will better connect the HS2 Interchange to local services such as the Metro and could also open up the wider Arden Cross site for further development.Full details of the scheme are being unveiled at property expo MIPIM 2018 in Cannes today (13 March 2018).