We think that Birmingham should support the idea of a high-speed rail network to the city centre.
Birmingham should actively promote the development of the high-speed rail network to the city centre.
A lot of Birmingham’s canals are currently hidden from view. Parts of the network have been improved over recent years, at the Mailbox, Gas Street Basin and Brindley Place, but some other parts are unattractive and do not feel secure.
The canals could attract more people and activities and act as a safe alternative way to get around the city cenre (by walking or cycling alongside).
Birmingham’s canal network is an important part of the city’s historic legacy. But much of the canal network is currently hidden from view. Parts of the network have been substantially improved over recent years, most notably at the Mailbox, Gas Street Basin and Brindleyplace, but other parts are unattractive and do not feel secure. The canal network has the potential to attract more people and activities and act as a safe alternative movement network, whilst maintaining the industrial character.
The Council has developed a new transport model for the city centre. A database was created in 2004 after detailed land use surveys and we have produced forecasts for 2011, 2021 and 2031 to show possible changes in the transport that is needed. These took into account future levels of population, housing, employment and other activities. We will prepare the Big City Plan together with transport modelling, and will come up with the ways we can improve the transport network for the city centre.
The Council has developed a new transportation model for the city centre. Detailed land use surveys have established a 2004 database and scenarios have been produced for 2011, 2021 and 2031 to identify possible changes in transport demand. This has considered future levels of population, housing, employment and other activities. The preparation of the Big City Plan will interact with transport modelling, and in combination will establish required infrastructure improvements for the city centre.