Massive car parks plan for new HS2 Interchange
HUGE new car parks in Solihull are to be built as part of the HS2 Interchange station project.
The project, which has been won by Vinci Construction, will see two multi-storey car parks containing between 4,500 and 7,000 spaces built on land next to the M42 about 1.2 miles east of Birmingham Airport.
They will be for passengers using the new HS2 station, which is due to open between 2029 and 2033, and also users of the wider £3.2 billion ‘Arden Cross’ scheme at the same site.
The 346-acre mixed-use regeneration is set to create new commercial, leisure, education, medical and technology space alongside up to 3,000 houses.
Vinci has won the 13-month tender from Urban Growth Company, a regional body bringing together business and local government leaders to spearhead regeneration work in the area around the NEC, airport and new HS2 station.
Additional planning and architectural design support will be provided by Cundall, Associated Architects and Fira.
Plans for two multi-storey car parks replace the previously consented application to build just a surface-level facility which has in turn released 74 acres of land back and will enable the Arden Cross team to create new jobs and homes up to three years earlier than originally planned.
Last year, the Government announced in its spring Budget it would provide a grant of £50 million, with a further £45 million loan from the West Midlands Combined Authority, to fund the car parks project.
A community consultation has already been held, responses to which are now being processed ahead of a second consultation and a planning application being submitted in July.
Sue Barrett, chief operating officer at Urban Growth Company, said: “Vinci has a proven track record in designing and building large multistorey car parks, coupled with a commitment to work with us to deliver meaningful social value activities in Solihull.
“This project is about so much more than a car park – it’s about working in partnership across the public and private sectors to agree an alternative proposal which delivers the full economic, social and environmental benefits we know to be possible here at what is going to be one of the best-connected locations in Europe.”
Vinci’s regional director Andrew Astley added: “We are delighted to be working with the Urban Growth Company and wider stakeholder team on such an important piece of major infrastructure that will support HS2 and substantially enhance the experience for commuters and visitors to Arden Cross.
“We are also working in collaboration with the growth company to maximise the social return on investment for the local area.”