West Midlands Mayor Andy Street says ‘transformative’ plans to improve transport links to Sutton Coldfield will help attract investment and regenerate the town centre.
Last year Mr Street, who leads the West Midlands Combined Authority, worked with Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell to secure £25 million as part of the Government's national investment programme for the Royal Town.
With that funding now in place, he said detailed plans were being drawn up to rethink the town’s transport links to create a new ‘gateway’.
Mr Street said: “The town centre is of huge importance to Sutton residents, and the Town Council has put together a brilliant masterplan that aims to secure its future.
“The creation of this new transport gateway in the town centre, which will bring together the train station, bus services and cycling routes, is key to the success of that masterplan.
“Better access is crucial to attracting more investment to regenerate the town centre, and it will encourage businesses to invest in housing, shopping, and leisure.”
Mr Street added that Sutton Town Council and Birmingham City Council have been working on the detailed designs for this project, which, once finalised, will be shared so residents can have their say.
The masterplan sets a vision for Royal Sutton Coldfield’s future, creating a route map to develop a resilient, vibrant, and diverse town centre through regeneration activity with community at its heart.
Proposed development will help address economic and environmental challenges while ensuring Royal Sutton Coldfield continues to be an attractive destination to live, visit, work or invest in.
The aim is to create a safe and innovative town centre and to unlock its future potential by attracting and retaining businesses, by transforming the public realm, and provide settings where people, community events and businesses can flourish together.