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Company to study plan for city tube
Nov 2 2004
By Paul Dale, Birmingham Post
The engineering company responsible for delivering the Jubilee tube extension in London is to be appointed to investigate the feasibility of a Birmingham underground railway.
Jacobs Consultants will carry out a £150,000 study for Birmingham City Council and Centro, the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive.
The announcement last night brings to a close a public disagreement between council leader Mike Whitby (right) and Centro.
Centro officials have agreed to contribute £50,000 towards the study, but on the understanding that the money is only used to investigate tunnelling future extensions of the Midland Metro tram system.
A spokesman said Centro remained committed to the planned Snow Hill-Five Ways metro extension through the city centre running at street level.
However, Coun Whitby (Con Harborne) said it was important to look at all options including the possibility of tunnelling for all or part of the Five Ways extension.
Coun Whitby said: "I am more than pleased that Jacobs are being recommended as they have an internationally recognised pedigree in delivering underground rail systems, such as the Porto Metro and the Jubilee Line extension.
"We promised to carry out a feasibility study into an underground metro in Birmingham and this is another example of the progressive partnership putting ideas into reality."
Coun Gary Clarke, chairman of the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority, said: "This study will be extremely significant in our drive to provide the West Midlands with a first class, modern transport system.
"There are clearly issues that need to be resolved before we can proceed, so I am delighted to have such high-calibre consultants ready to start work and that we have been able to agree a funding package."
The appointment will be ratified by the council, following a meeting of the WMPTA Policy and Strategy Committee next week.
As part of their study, which is due to report in May 2005, Jacobs will take into account previous studies on tunnelling options for the Midland Metro.
