Birmingham finds £1bn for HS2 regeneration

Birmingham has committed £1bn to HS2-related regeneration schemes, with the aim of delivering 4,000 homes, 36,000 jobs and 600,000m2 of commercial space.

The funds come from Greater Birmingham’s local enterprise partnership - funded by business rates - and the newly-formed West Midlands Combined Authority.

The Curzon Investment Plan sets out a 30-year development programme for 141 hectares of land around the planned HS2 Curzon Street Station (pictured).

Plans include the HS2 station itself, several new neighbourhoods, offices and retail spaces. It will also incorporate new public places including a new promenade and Curzon Square, including the original grade I-listed Curzon Station.

The news comes after an influential committee of MPs criticised the overall £55bn HS2 project for keeping the public “in the dark” and for not having a “realistic timetable”.

The Public Accounts Committee report argued getting the first phase from London to Birmingham to open in 2026 was “overly ambitious”.

It also urged the government to clarify the route and costs for the second phase, linking to Manchester and Leeds.

The Department for Transport said the project was “on time and on budget” and further phase two details would be announced this autumn.

The MPs’ report came just days after HS2’s current boss Simon Kirby announced he was leaving to take up a top role at Rolls-Royce.

Commenting on the Birmingham investment, prime minister Theresa May said: “I’m delighted that Greater Birmingham is making this investment in the future, working to maximise the potential of HS2 by investing in jobs and housing - and encouraging more business investment.”

Liz Peace, chair of the Curzon Regeneration Company and former British Property Federation chief executive, said: “With the Curzon Investment Plan in place, the regeneration company can now focus on the task of delivering infrastructure and unlocking the area’s growth potential.

“The regeneration company’s delivery board will be bringing together key partners to drive this investment programme.”