Call for progress on Hagley Road Metro Scheme

Andrew Hopper
Aug 14
2 min read

Preet Kaur Gill, MP for Edgbaston is demanding a "Clear Timeline" for the Hagley Road Metro after decades of delays. The Midland Metro extension to Edgbaston Village opened in July 2022. Now the focus must be on its extension to Quinton to make a real difference for the long-term future." she said.

Birmingham Edgbaston MP Preet Kaur Gill has assembled a steering group of key delivery partners to ensure transport improvements on Hagley Road are finally delivered, warning the situation "cannot be allowed to drift for another ten years."

Writing to West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker (see below) following the Government's recent announcement of £2.4 billion in new transport funding for the West Midlands, Preet Kaur Gill MP is demanding action to complement existing funding commitments before they expire in March 2027. To speed up progress, she has brought together Combined Authority officials, council transport staff from Birmingham and Sandwell, and business stakeholders to drive through long-awaited changes after decades since plans for the Hagley Road Metro were set out in the 1980s.

"I want to see a clear timeline," she said, adding "This situation cannot be allowed to drift for another ten years. We could also plan and build priority measures and park and ride as a stepping stone towards the full metro provision. Investment in the likes of park and ride and traffic light priority at junctions would be there ready for the full metro when complete."

The urgency is driven by converging opportunities and deadlines. Existing funding for improvements from Five Ways to Portland Road junction is due to expire in March 2027, yet detailed consultation on the scheme is still awaited. Meanwhile, the recent £2.4 billion government transport funding package provides fresh resources for broader transport improvements. Ms Gill argues this combination creates an unprecedented opportunity that must not be wasted. Her steering group brings together the actual delivery partners including Transport for West Midlands officials, Birmingham and Sandwell council transport staff, and business stakeholders, ensuring "all the people who can make this happen" are aligned from the start.

Preet Kaur Gill MP’s letter to West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker points out successful park and ride schemes on existing Metro routes as proof of concept. With Birmingham preparing for the arrival of HS2 and thousands of new homes planned, reliable transport connections will be crucial not just for local residents, but for the region's economic competitiveness, benefitting business and leisure visitors too.