In the UK, Birmingham City Council is set to approve a US$270,600 feasibility study into an extensive underground railway network for the city.
In April, the fittingly named Sir Albert Bore, then city leader, advocated a plan involving trams travelling through tunnels under the city centre with partial funds supplied by a government subsidy. By May, the Conservative Party unveiled its US$361M plans for an underground railway system as part of its local government election manifesto for the city.
The Conservatives triumphed in the city elections in June and now Mike Whitby, leader of the council Conservative group, is at the forefront of proponents for the scheme. He is asking the council cabinet to agree a consultant’s brief and tendering arrangements to establish the light rail tunnel options.
The proposals contained in the Conservative manifesto includes plans for an extension to the system through Birmingham city centre and in the Black Country between Wednesbury and Brierley Hill over the next four years. Within 10 years it is hoped other new lines will be built to the north, west and south of the city towards Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre.
Consultant, Rod Dixon, who advised the Conservatives during preparation of the document said: “The ground beneath the city centre is so good that you can tunnel anywhere in the central area with no problem. You would put it as near to the surface as possible, typically between 10 and 20m deep.”
The West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive is believed to have concerns about the estimated cost being undervalued, but Whitby said: “For a city that deserves and yearns for international recognition and status, an integrated transport system, with underground rail at its heart, is the only way forward for Birmingham.”
