Date: 18/11/2015

Birmingham has secured a devolution deal with the UK government that will allow it to fund transport projects worth almost £2 billion. In return for agreeing to have a new elected mayor, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) will receive an annual payment of £36.5 million from Whitehall to support local borrowing of more than £1 billion. The West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) said the funding will support the delivery of the HS2 Connectivity Package, which includes light rail links from the proposed station at Curzon Street to Birmingham Airport via Bordesley Green and Chelmsley Wood, and between Wednesbury and Brierley Hill. Improvements to the West Coast Main Line and better connectivity between the East Midlands and the West Midlands will also be possible, the ITA has said. As part of the deal, the government also approved funding for the £97 million Adderley Park metro extension. [From Richard Buckby]

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