The potential congestion charge would be imposed on the centre of Birmingham. However, commuters from the south of the city might be encouraged to use a rejuvenated rail network. The move may also promote economic growth south of the city centre. Print shops from south Birmingham are likely to benefit from local transport improvements.
West Midland Railways has yet to make a clear commitment to the Plans and is waiting on the delivery of studies into the practicalities of the ideas. Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling is positive that obstacles to progress can be overcome. He told the Birmingham Mail:
“You've got routes that are still there with freight trains running on them in what are busy city areas. It makes no sense at all to me not to restore passenger services. It's blindingly obvious this Moseley line and the Walsall to Wolverhampton line I visited earlier are places linking important centres and important commuter routes and there should be trains running on them.”
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, has campaigned for the restoration of services on the Moseley line. Street is in favour of reducing congestion on the roads in the centre of the combined authority. The line that visits Moseley runs through south Birmingham and goes to Saltley.Get a Free Quote for Plans Get a Free Quote for Print