Solihull Leader Calls for Airport Link as Sprint Bus Scheme Reaches Milestone
Calls have intensified for a dedicated transport link connecting Birmingham Airport directly to Solihull town centre, as a major new bus service project achieved a significant advancement. Members of the West Midlands Combined Authority Board have officially approved the full business case for acquiring twenty-four tram-style electric buses specifically for the ambitious Sprint initiative.
Approval of Electric Fleet Marks Progress
The Sprint scheme is designed to significantly enhance travel efficiency between Walsall, Birmingham, and Solihull by establishing a continuous bus priority route along the A34 and A45 corridors. This approval represents a crucial step forward, with a total investment of twenty-six million pounds allocated for the new fleet and charging infrastructure, plus an additional five point five million pounds for ticketing equipment.
Councillors on the Combined Authority's Investment Board have already expressed strong support for the project, emphasizing their desire to see tangible progress after previous setbacks. The scheme, initially announced in 2018 with expectations of completion for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, has faced multiple delays due to factors including the COVID-19 pandemic and substantial cost escalations.
Solihull's Connectivity Gap Highlighted
However, Solihull Council leader Karen Grinsell pointed out a critical shortfall in the current plan. While the Sprint service will effectively connect passengers to Birmingham International Airport and the NEC area, it fails to provide a rapid public transport link to Solihull's own town centre. Grinsell articulated the community's frustration, stating that residents currently lack any fast or direct options for travel between the airport and the town centre.
"We'd very much like Sprint to come to the town centre because, whilst it does go out to the airport and NEC area, it really needs to connect to the town centre," Grinsell explained. "Last night, somebody commented there is no way to get from the airport to the town centre. There's no train line that connects it, and there's no fast bus service. That's one for the future we need to highlight."
Ongoing Development and Future Vision
In response to these concerns, Sandeep Shingadia, Executive Director of Transport for West Midlands, confirmed at a meeting on Friday, March 13, that work is actively ongoing to develop such a connection. This acknowledgment provides hope for future enhancements to the network.
Birmingham City Council's cabinet member for environment and transport, Majid Mahmood, welcomed the procurement of the new electric buses, describing it as the final step in realizing the Sprint vision. "Buses are the backbone of Birmingham's transport system. They connect people to jobs, education, and opportunities," Mahmood stated. "We want a cleaner and better connected Birmingham, and investment in modern public transport is not an option—it's essential."
Infrastructure work, including the construction of new bus stops and the extension of bus priority lanes with improved signaling, has already been carried out in the initial phases of the project. The approval of the electric bus fleet now sets the stage for further implementation, with community leaders urging that Solihull's connectivity needs be addressed as part of this broader transport improvement effort.
