Trams with plans: a golden opportunity for Geoff Hoon
In an interview with the FT today, the "new, enthusiastic" transport secretary Geoff Hoon says he has ordered a review to find infrastructure projects within his brief that can help Gordon Brown stimulate demand with a spending spree on public works projects.
But, he says, he can't find enough that have existing planning permission.
"I'd like to play my part ... I wish I could get out my spade and start digging," Hoon tells the FT.
Why doesn't he pay a visit to Birmingham then? There is a project right on our doorstep that has been granted a Transport and Works Act Order (the equivalent of planning permission for these sorts of things).
A good many people are still arguing that a world-class city needs a world-class public transport system.
When you have a plan with planning permission an a Government desperate to spend money, that sounds like a golden opportunity to me.
Birmingham does not need a tram link to its international airport and the NEC, it needs an express link (like four-tracking the main line would achieve). So instead of going back to square one, where there is no planning permission, for no apparent reason than ownership of a big idea, why doesn't Birmingham grasp an opportunity.
The TWA permission for the Midland Metro to run trams through the city centre, to New Street Gateway, the ICC and Five Ways expires in less than two years so the opportunity won't be around for much longer.
Older/Newer
« Furry dice are a pretty blunt instrument for fighting a recession | Who's paying the piper for Gordon's tune? »
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Trams with plans: a golden opportunity for Geoff Hoon.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://blogs.birminghampost.net/cgi-bin/mt421/mt-tb.cgi/90466
Business authors
Alun Thorne - The Birmingham Post's Head of Business
My postings |
My feed
Guy Bloom - Birmingham-based executive coach
My postings | My feed
Carol Barrie - Tax Partner at RSM Bentley Jennison in Birmingham and Head of the Property & Construction Group for the UK
My postings | My feed
David Harte - Digital Central project manager at Birmingham City University
My postings | My feed
Muhammad M-Hasan - Managing consultant
My postings |
My feed
Ruth Ward - Independent PR Consultant and Director of Creative Republic
My postings |
My feed
Mik Barton - Head of PR company Actuality Media
My postings |
My feed
David Bailey - Professor of Economic Policy and International Business, University of Birmingham
My postings |
My feed
Nick Lockey - New Media Producer, Maverick Television
My postings |
My feed
Sam Smith - Head of content development for Freestyle Interactive
My postings |
My feed
Stuart Pemble - Construction Lawyer, Mills & Reeve
My postings |
My feed
John Cranage - The Birmingham Post's automotive correspondent
My postings |
My feed
John Newbold - Co-owner of Birmingham creative company 383 Project
My postings |
My feed
Latest Birmingham Post News blog
Birmingham Post staff and guest bloggers from the midlands give you their opinions on local and national news.
Latest Birmingham Post Lifestyle blog
Birmingham Post staff and guest bloggers from the midlands give you the lowdown on what's happening in your region and some musings on culture in the UK and beyond.
Latest Birmingham Post Sport blog
Birmingham Post staff and guest bloggers from Birmingham and the midlands inform and entertain on all sporting matters.
Leave a comment