Car scheme plan at risk
Dec 7 2009 by Patrice John, Birmingham Mail
PLANS for a £100,000 parking scheme in the heart of Birmingham’s newest development have been put on ice due to a wrangle over land.
Birmingham City Council, developer St Modwen and the passenger transport authority Centro are working on a project to form a new transport hub in Longbridge.
Centro planned to erect a 100-space temporary park and ride site for commuters who currently have nowhere to park when using trains but the developers have revealed the council wants the land for a £4 million youth centre.
St Modwen’s senior development manager Mike Murray said: “Part of Centro’s temporary park and ride site at Longbridge has been identified by Birmingham City Council’s youth services for a £4 million community facility.
“Although no final decisions have been made by, it is understood this is their preferred location for the new facility.
“St Modwen and Centro are aware of this and there is flexibility for either party to break the lease for the temporary park and ride.
“St Modwen, Centro and Birmingham City Council are considering alternative locations for the temporary park and ride, which may include the balance of the original site.” The £700 million Longbridge development has been earmarked as a prime site for fresh investment.
Developers St Modwen are responsible for transforming the 300-acre site and plans to build 2,000 homes, a business park and leisure facilities, creating 10,000 jobs.
There are plans for a transport interchange, named South Birmingham Parkway, which would link Longbridge railway station to bus services and a permanent park and ride of 1,000 spaces by 2014.
The 100-space temporary park and ride is needed to accommodate the growing numbers of passengers wanting to leave their cars and use public transport. Centro spokeswoman Babs Coombes said: “We are looking at alternative arrangements for the park and ride site, including the possibility of creating a smaller car park on the remaining land.
“We are hoping to start work on the car park as soon as a decision has been made on the temporary park and ride site.”
A Birmingham City Council spokesman said: “We are currently looking to develop our plans for a youth centre and park and ride scheme within Longbridge, however at this stage no exact plans are in place.”
