The successful Birmingham Chamber-backed £15.7m Regional
Growth Fund bid could create up to 10,000 jobs.
The bid, which will see major improvements made to the A45 near
Birmingham Airport, will be a huge boost to the economic prospects
of the M42 corridor, already one of the strongest in the
region.
Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Birmingham Chamber of
Commerce Group (BCCG), said: "This upgrade will be an enabler of
the M42 corridor as an engine for growth.
"It is a vibrant part of the local economy and this upgrade is
long overdue. It will also bring about improvements to Junction 6
of the M42, which is a pinch point, and it will also allow the
airport to develop its runway."
Under the scheme, the A45 will be made a three lane highway,
with dedicated public transport improvements, and it will also have
various mechanisms put in place to prevent flooding.
The successful bid brought together funding from both public and
private sources, including the local authorities in Solihull and
Birmingham, Centro and from the airport.
The bid was championed by the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce
Group, which was the applicant to the Regional Growth
Fund.
"We were delighted to offer ourselves as the lead body for the
bid, because it is so important to our members and to businesses in
the region," said Mr Blackett.
"It will create up to 10,000 jobs, as the regenerative impact of
the scheme will see more businesses setting up in the locality.
"Also, the timing of this is perfect for the development plan
that Birmingham Airport has."