Public transport bosses in the West Midlands are adding their support to the campaign to improve the job prospects of former Rover workers.

Work is progressing on a £16m scheme which will help improve rail services and another project currently on ice is being revisited to see if it can be brought forward.

In addition, public transport promoter Centro is investigating whether the WorkWise scheme that has helped nearly 1000 people find jobs in Chelmsley Wood and Sparkhill could be extended to the area around the troubled car factory.

Plans to extend the busy Cross City Line from Longbridge have been drawn up to serve the Birmingham Great Park development and more than 3,000 homes in Frankley.  Working with Birmingham City Council, Centro has identified public support for the scheme and a positive business case – but the project has been effectively on hold as the intended national funding for major new rail schemes was no longer available.

Now councillors on Centro’s policy-setting West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority are seeking ways to inject new life into the proposals, perhaps with the involvement of the recently-established Rover Task Force.

In the meantime, £60,000-worth of bus network improvements are to be implemented over the coming year.

“Many studies have shown there is a strong link between the quality of an area’s transport network and its economic prosperity – and this is where we can help,” says PTA chairman Cllr Gary Clarke.  “Investment in public transport can help make this part of the West Midlands more attractive to new employers and increase the mobility of the workers now seeking new jobs.”

The PTA is also expected to approve the next phase of detailed public consultation on a £16m plan for Longbridge Station.  It will help to identify a preferred option for a major park and ride facility, with space for more than 800 cars alongside former Rover land being redeveloped for new business and retail use.

“We are keen to move forward on this significant project which can help change the face of the area.  It could make Longbridge one of the most important stations on the local rail network and will help secure the future of a turn-up-and-go, reliable train service,” says Cllr Clarke.

The park and ride project would be funded through the Local Transport Plan and Centro/PTA is awaiting a decision on a funding bid submitted to Government last year.  Public consultation on details of the scheme is planned for June 2005.

Links:
MG Rover Group
MG Rover Task Force information