Reader TTS

The Government has today handed West Midlands mayor Richard Parker the mega-millions needed to fund a tram line from Birmingham to the planned new Birmingham City FC Stadium and Sports

Quarter in Bordesley Green. A new £2.4 billion treasure chest for the region will fund vital transport projects over five years. Part of it - an estimated £3-400 million - will pay for a new

Metro tram line to the former Wheels site. Blues owners Knighthead intend to build world-class sports and leisure facilities and a new Blues ground on the abandoned land, creating thousands

of jobs in the process. The announcement today, Wednesday June 4, by Chancellor Rachel Reeves marks the successful conclusion of months of intense lobbying by Mayor Parker and Knighthead

frontman Tom Wagner. The American had warned it would be 'criminal' if public money was not used to fund the transport infrastructure he said was vital to unlock the £3 billion

investment. The much vaunted line will run from the city centre to the Sports Quarter, then later go on to Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham Airport, the NEC and the HS2 interchange at Arden

Cross. The first phase could be ready in five years. READ MORE: £1 BN TRAM PLAN FOR BLUES, NEC, HS2 AND BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT UNVEILED THAT WILL 'CHANGE LIVES' The West Midlands is

one of several regions handed a package of investment for local transport in today's announcement. The aim is to ensure transport schemes are in place to help unlock jobs, skills,

housing and opportunities in poorer parts of the country. Other transport initiatives to be funded by the West Midlands package are yet to be confirmed. A total of £15.6 billion of

investment was announced nationally. READ MORE: WHY TRAM LINE TO EAST BIRMINGHAM, BLUES, AIRPORT AND NEC HAS TO HAPPEN Mayor Parker said: "This funding means we can now deliver a new

Metro line to the Sports Quarter, connecting it to Birmingham city centre and unlocking one of the most significant private investments our region has ever seen. "But this is just the

beginning. This investment also unlocks a nationally significant infrastructure project that will transform East Birmingham and North Solihull into one of the UK's key growth corridors,

driving thousands of new homes and jobs and bringing opportunity to communities that have been held back for too long." Elsewhere, there will be £2.1bn for a mass transit system in

West Yorkshire, £2.5bn for transport schemes in Greater Manchester and £1.5bn for projects in South Yorkshire. Other schemes include £2bn of funding in the East Midlands, including improving

connections between Derby and Nottingham, and £1.8bn for the North East, including a metro extension linking Newcastle and Sunderland. The funding empowers local leaders to invest in

projects they know will make a difference for their local area. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, said of the plans: "Today marks a watershed moment on our journey to improving

transport across the North and Midlands – opening up access to jobs, growing the economy and driving up quality of life as we deliver our Plan for Change. "For too long, people in the

North and Midlands have been locked out of the investment they deserve. With £15.6bn of Government investment, we're giving local leaders the means to drive cities, towns and

communities forward, investing in Britain’s renewal so you and your family are better off." The funding announcement comes ahead of the Spending Review next week, when the Chancellor

will set out how the Government will fund local government and services. Birmingham City Council leader Cllr John Cotton said of the news: "Today's announcement is a huge vote of

confidence in the people and communities of this city from a Government that is backing growth, backing Birmingham and backing Brummies. "This project is crucial to supporting the

delivery of the council’s three priorities of housing, jobs and skills and transport. This will boost Birmingham's economy - and transform the lives and life chances of our

citizens." Due to speak in Birminghamk later today, Reeves is also expected to announce a 'step change' in the way government evaluates the case for investing in regions, to

ensure every area has a fair funding deal. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PLANS? ADD YOUR COMMENTS BELOW.