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£11m scheme to improve transport links between Solihull and airport

A major scheme to improve public transport between Solihull, Birmingham International Airport and the National Exhibition Centre has won final approval, three years after the Government first promised to fund the project.

Transport Minister Paul Clark has confirmed that Solihull Council would be awarded £11.1 million to help provide a new interchange at Birmingham International Station, improving links between trains and buses.

Mr Clark said a number of measures, including improved bus services and better information for passengers, would encourage more of the people who visit the airport and the NEC to do so by public transport.

But the scheme will also help motorists trapped in traffic when trying to leave the NEC after attending a concert.

Cars will be able to use bus lanes when major events are causing significant congestion on local roads, Mr Clark announced.

The length of time taken to get out of the NEC car parks has been a matter of concern for some time and has been identified as one reason why the venue might lose concerts and conferences to rival operators.

Mr Clark said: “This will cut the travel time of those trying to get home after an event as well as commuters and shoppers travelling in and around Solihull.”

The main elements of what is being proposed include:

* New bus lanes.
* Improvements to the existing bus corridor, with easier access kerbs for disabled travellers.
* Bus priority measures to speed up travel time.
* New bus shelters to provide better waiting areas for passengers in bad weather.
* Shared use footways and cycleways to join up routes across Solihull and allow for safer travel.

Mr Clark said: “This funding will mean better public transport for people living and working in Solihull and east Birmingham, as well as those using the airport or visiting the NEC, with improved bus routes and more regular services.

“Better facilities encourage people to use public transport rather than their cars, and this in turn can reduce congestion on local roads and cut harmful CO2 emissions. I urge as many people as possible to take advantage of these new transport links.”

West Midlands councils have lobbied for improved transport facilities at the airport and NEC for years.

Real time information boards will be introduced so that bus passengers can plan their journeys more effectively.

The computer-controlled screens will show when a bus is due as well as its destination, enabling people arriving at Birmingham airport to work out how long their journey will take.

Source
 
Re: Road, Rail & Access Issues

With regards to roads and access controls at BHX, the main road in front of the old terminal building on the cargo side has been blocked off. Concrete blocks have been positioned all along the road blocking off access from both ends with more blocks on the strip of pavement between the two roads. The cafe at the old terminal site were not told about this happening until the day the blocks were positioned. The only people with access to that road from now on will be the newspaper distributors who are next door to the cafe.

Could this be that the police are sick of the cars being parked there by people who want to enjoy their hobby of plane spotting! Or could this be a chance to force people to use the NCP car park (enjoying the new tariff of charges that has recently come into play).
 
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Re: Road, Rail & Access Issues

All airports now have a 30m exclusion zone between the terminal and roads. This restriction was implemented by the Dft following the Glasgow airport attack and unfortunately most airports have now taken it upon themselves to charge exorbitant prices for parking. :shok:
 
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Re: Road, Rail & Access Issues

[textarea]Birmingham Airport to receive high speed rail link?

Birmingham Airport could become more accessible for travellers using the rail network in the future, according to reports.

The government is said to be drawing up plans for a new 200mph rail link to connect the city with London, meaning that the West Midlands airport will become more easily reachable from the capital.

It is thought that if this happens Birmingham Airport could become a competitor for Heathrow Airport.

A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said that so far plans for the high speed rail link are "speculation".

They explained: "We have yet to reach a view about specific routes. If the government decides to go ahead with plans for high-speed rail, it will publish a white paper by the end of March."

The news comes round the same time as a report from Railfuture suggested there are problems with the transport links that connect members of the public with airports.

According to the report, Gatwick Airport is among the best for rail links while Heathrow Airport was found to be accessed most easily via road.

People using public transport can help avoid potentially damaging delays by booking into an airport hotel the night before.

Source[/textarea]
 
Re: Road, Rail & Access Issues

The Conservative shadow transport minister said a few months ago that her party was against a third runway at Heathrow and viewed Birmingham as an airport that could take much of the traffic that would have gone to the additional LHR runway.

So one way or another it looks as though BHX is set for a major push up the national airports league table in the next ten years or so.

It's certainly well sited in the middle of the country.
 
Re: Road, Rail & Access Issues

[textarea]Campaign to change Birmingham Airport train station name boosted

Campaigners who want the name of the Birmingham International railway station changed to Birmingham Airport have been given fresh hope the Birmingham Mail reports. Network Rail chairman Rick Haythornthwaite promised to work to deliver the name change, and hinted that a deal could be formalised when the bidding process to allocate a new franchise for the West Coast Main Line is concluded next year.

Mr Haythornthwaite said he understood the frustrations of airport officials, MP and business and council leaders who want the station to be re-named to make the destination clearer to passengers. Previous attempts to force Network Rail’s hand ended in failure after the organisation asked for £500,000 to change timetables and station signs.

The Network Rail chairman said: ‘You must have the support of train operating companies to do this, so let’s see if we can get something placed into the franchise specification. Let’s work out how we can change the name.’

John Morris, Head of Industry and Government Affairs at Birmingham Airport, said two of the four prospective franchise bidders had given an undertaking that they would work to have the station re-named. He said: ‘Most people understand the rationale behind wanting to change the name of the station to make it clearer for train customers. Two of the franchise bidders accept this and we hope that the other two will follow suit.’

Birmingham International railway station opened in 1976 and the name was meant to refer to the airport, which was then called Birmingham International Airport. The station also serves the NEC.

Source[/textarea]
 
Re: Road, Rail & Access Issues

[textarea]Birmingham Airport most accessible in UK, research shows

NEW analysis shows that Birmingham Airport is the most accessible in Britain and has led to renewed calls for it to be used to alleviate pressure on overheated South East airports.

The analysis, conducted by Steer Davies Gleave and Capital Economics, looks at the catchment areas of the UK’s long-haul airports.

It concludes that Birmingham Airport currently serves the greatest number of passengers within two hours travel by road and rail at present and in the future,

Full story: http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidl ... ion=19036#[/textarea]
 
Re: Road, Rail & Access Issues

Hmm, so Birmingham Airport commission a report to state the bleeding obvious, I'd love to know how much it cost. Surely it's about time they started to give all these potential new pax a reason to travel to BHX in the first place with an improved range of destinations and frequencies and most importantly at a price people can afford. Being the most accessible in the country also means it's easy for people to travel away from the area to fly and whilst Mr Kehoe keeps on banging the long haul drum millions of people each year are lost to the likes of LTN, BRS and EMA because the destinations either aren't available from BHX, the times aren't right or it's just a lot cheaper elsewhere.
 
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Re: Road, Rail & Access Issues

What's in a name? Birmingham Airport and NEC battle over what International station should be called
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/ho ... 91808.html

I see the airport and NEC are still squabbling about a new name for the station. It's a difficult one though with both NEC and Birmingham airport being key Birmingham destination points. What's the general feeling on the street? What do people here think it should be named?

What about Birmingham National Airport & Exhibition Centre, Mr Kehoe would kill two birds with one stone in his intercontinental quest?
 
Re: Road, Rail & Access Issues

What about Birmingham National Airport & Exhibition Centre, Mr Kehoe would kill two birds with one stone in his intercontinental quest?

Or simply Birmingham Airport and NEC or just Birmingham Airport NEC.
 
Re: Road, Rail & Access Issues

If the airport and NEC are genuinely arguing over which should be first then it's all rather pathetic. NEC/ Birmingham Airport or Birmingham Airport/NEC, does it really matter? I'd prefer the word Birmingham to come first so people immediately know where they are going so Birmingham Airport/NEC would be my choice. That's if this article is correct and you only need to read the first line to realise the author, like most of the media, most likely has a downer on Birmingham.
 
Re: Road, Rail & Access Issues

The state owned Chinese Railway Company have written to Birmingham City Council expressing an interest in funding the proposed Whitacre rail link which would see a 7.3 mile Victorian line reopened from Hampton-In-Arden to the new HS2 station via the airport and NEC.

The letter they sent is interesting as it's worded that they wish to invest in Birmingham Airport and the railway infrastructure. One to keep an eye on.

Chinese plan HS2 link for disused Victorian rail line

A Chinese state-owned business has approached Birmingham City Council about reopening an old railway line.

Under the plans, the Stonebridge Railway in Warwickshire would link to the HS2 Birmingham Interchange station, with connections to Birmingham Airport.

The council confirmed it had received a letter from the China Railway Group interested in designing, constructing and financing the project.

Transport group Centro called the plans "interesting".

'Long-term investments'

Under the plans, the 11.7 kilometres (7.3 miles) link would run from Hampton-in-Arden, near Solihull to Whitacre Junction, in North Warwickshire, with links to Birmingham International Station and the National Exhibition Centre.

Rail experts believe it would cost an estimated £240 million to restore the line, or £280 million with full electrification.

Birmingham City Council said the China Railway Group, the main construction company for China's railways, had sent it a letter in December, expressing its interest in backing the scheme.

The letter said: "We write to express our formal interest in making long-term investments in the region, including the development and enhancement of Birmingham Airport, and in the development of the railways of the region to connect with the proposed HS2 High Speed line."

Transport Minister Stephen Hammond has said he will look at the proposals.

Geoff Inskip, Centro chief executive, said: "This is an interesting proposal and more work is needed to understand exactly how it could improve access to HS2 and Birmingham Airport and deliver improved, direct journeys to and from the West Midlands.."

A Birmingham City Council spokesperson confirmed they had been contacted by the railway group and said: "We are always keen to hear of any proposals that could improve connectivity and transport infrastructure in the city."

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "We would be interested in seeing a detailed business case to support this scheme."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25664983
 
Re: Road, Rail & Access Issues

Well with the Chinese looking to be involved in HS2 and the company HS2 Ltd moving to Birmingham next year this makes sense. I'd be very surprised if there wasn't some Chinese investment in UK Central in the future.
 
Re: Road, Rail & Access Issues

This featured on Midlands Today and although the article was more about the rail link they vaguely stated that there is definitely Chinese interest in BHX. The picture below shows the proposed line (#5) which if completed could open up a huge amount of local (Tamworth, Burton, Leamington Spa, Kenilworth....) and national (Derby, Leicester, Peterborough....) direct services to BHX/NEC and eventually HS2 without the need to change in Birmingham City Centre.



The M42 corridor (J4-J6) and the UK Central master plan has huge potential over the next couple of decades and I'd imagine there will be plenty of Chinese investment sought after. There are rumours that Birmingham City Council may be looking to offload some, or all of their ownership of the NEC which would create huge interest. There are also persistent rumours that some of the Metropolitan Borough Councils may be looking to sell their stakes in BHX (which could possibly be where the Chinese link comes in). Just over a mile or so from BHX you have the ever expanding Birmingham Business Park, which must be close to 2 million sqft by now?, housing well over 100 companies including Fujitsu (European HQ), Orange, Biersdorf and Hewlett Packard with the 300,000 sqft Aero Engine Controls unit well underway and plenty of room for more expansion when needed. Back on the NEC site Genting Casinos have the huge Resorts World Birmingham opening next year with 5* hotel suites, restaurant and leisure facilities, cinema, casino and a retail village. A stones throw from BHX in the other direction there is Jaguar/Land Rover who are going from strength to strength and, although Indian owned, are doing massive trade in China. With a factory due to open in Shanghai next year there is also lots of Chinese interest in the chain of local supply companies. Junction 5 has Solihull Town Centre and many very affluent villages, Touchwood shopping centre is planning expansion in the next couple of years enhancing what is already on offer. Then Junction 4 has Blythe Valley Business Park, although fairly new and not as big as Birmingham Business Park it is already a decent size, housing companies such as Seimens, Balfour Beatty, Arup and Store Twenty One and based around the Blythe Valley Country Park and nature reserve. It also has a very ambitious master plan for the future with 1.4 million sqft still to be developed. Add to this the possibility of the Meridan gap housing project creating what would effectively be a large town joining Birmingham and Coventry, the HS2 interchange, easy access to junctions on the M6 and M42, plans for local bus and potential tram services linking all sites and numerous hotels (from budget to luxury), eateries, leisure and shopping in the area and the UK Central master plan can only be positive for BHX, which will hopefully have a key role.

http://centreofenterprise.com/wp-conten ... 4b-rdu.pdf
 
Re: Road, Rail & Access Issues

It's a fascinating insight into what the future may hold for the area and the airport.
 
Re: Road, Rail & Access Issues

All potentially exciting I just wish things would speed up a bit more everything seems to take so long to happen in this country especially when compared to China with their infrastructure surging at great pace which I saw on sky news this week.

As a sidenote I love the size of terminal 1 at Beijing airport bigger than the whole of Heathrow put together :rolleyes:
 
Re: Road, Rail & Access Issues

Not directly airport related but the M42 corridor could well be very important to BHX's growth in future years, no doubt the potential of HS2 makes this area a more attractive prospect.

M42 corridor sees surge in demand for office space

The office market recovery in the West Midlands is being powered by a huge upsurge in demand in the M42 corridor – with firms from London and overseas clamouring for space.

“The performance of the office market in Birmingham city centre has been improving,” he said.

“But there has been a huge rise in demand for space in the M42 corridor, where there are currently three or four requirements for between 40,000 and 50,000 sq ft, which is unheard of.

“Traditionally, requirements for this market have been under 10,000 sq ft, with no deals exceeding more than 20,000 sq ft.

“But at the moment, in addition to the three or four major requirements, we have two office deals under offer for more than 25,000 sq ft of space.”

Full article: http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/busines ... ge-6728260
 
Re: Road, Rail & Access Issues

Again not directly connected to the airport but it seems the CPO and SRO has now be confirmed for the A45 railway bridge replacement and upgrade of the carriageway between J6 of the M42 and the clock roundabout (where the recently upgraded A45 section ends). This is the last remaining section of the road to be upgraded between the airport and the motorway, there will be carriageway widening with the provision of a dedicated slip road from the M42 into the airport site. The full and very lengthy report is in the link below.


The purpose of the proposed Scheme is to improve the section of A45 highway between Junction 6 of the M42 and the Clock Island Junction of the A45. This would involve the replacement of the aging A45 west bound carriageway bridge with a new wider bridge which in turn would improve the west bound approach of the A45 to the Clock Lane Junction, which is the access to Birmingham Airport. The proposed Scheme would also result in the stopping up of a private means of access to an area of land known as Wyckhams Close. An alternative means of access to this land is included within the SRO.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... report.pdf
 
Re: Road, Rail & Access Issues

It'll be a bit of a pain but it's definitely something that needs to be done, that area can be a nightmare at certain times of the day.

Motorists warned of motorway misery as huge M42 improvements plan starts

Travellers facing five months of traffic delays as work begins to increase number of lanes between junction six and NEC

Motorists are being warned about five months of potential misery when work to improve a section of the M42 motorway gets underway.

Road works will get underway on Monday to increase the number of lanes linking the M42 at junction 6 to Birmingham Airport and the NEC.

Highways agency officials are hoping the £2.5 million works will ease congestion and improve journeys for travellers catching flights or attending events at the NEC or the National Motorcycle Museum.

The project is part of a £317 million government scheme which is providing cash for projects which will boost local economies by reducing congestion and delays.

Work will also start on widening the A45 Coventry Road eastbound to four lanes at the approach to junction 6 of the M42 and widening the roundabout to provide four lanes.

Currently the area is hit by huge congestion at busy times when large events are taking place nearby and there is a busy flight schedule at the airport.

The work will start at 8pm on Monday and continue until 6am the next day, and carry on during nights until October. There will also be occasional full closures, which will be advised in advance with well-signed diversion routes. From mid-July work will commence on the A45 eastbound exit slip.

Drivers are being warned to leave extra time for their journeys and check the Highways Agency website for alternative routes.

Highways Agency Project Manager Debbie Makinde said real consideration had been given to minimising disruption to all road users and local businesses at this vital junction.

“We’re well aware what a busy location this is and that is the very reason we are carrying out this important pinch point project. We have liaised thoroughly with the NEC, airport, museum and others to ensure the work causes as little inconvenience as possible.

“We’ve given it careful thought and have suggested alternative routes to these destinations, which will be clearly signed from the local road and motorway network.”

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/mi ... ng-7258736
 

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