I’ll revive Super Prix, claims Tory mayoral hopeful Street also calls for Channel 4 move to city
THE Birmingham Super Prix road race could be brought back as a showcase for the region’s cutting-edge motor industry, a mayoral candidate has claimed.
Conservative Andy Street also proposed the revived race would feature the latest electric cars – for which Birmingham aims to become a world leader in research and development.
The Super Prix was run on Birmingham city centre streets from 1986 to 1990, attracting big names from the motor racing world.
The eye-catching proposal is in a 46-page manifesto unveiled by the former John Lewis boss, covering wide-ranging policies on economic growth, jobs, housing and transport.
The manifesto sets out a plan to bring more world-class sports events to the region.
He also pledged to lead a bid to bring Channel 4 to Birmingham if elected.
Speaking after his manifesto launch he said: “There’s been talk about this for a couple of years now. There’s been good work done in the background already but we’ve now got to put our case together in a co-ordinated way.
“We’ve got a brilliant case; our young population, our skill base, our connectivity at the centre of the UK. So we should be aiming really high in what we attract here.”
Leading such a bid is a job that the mayor can, and should, do he argued.
He said: “I do think one thing the mayor must do is step forward and lead these things, not on his own but with the city council and the inward investment agency.
“If you’re the spokesman for the region you’ve got to be there. There’s lot of talk about it so we must turn every stone. We’ve got to persuade the board of Channel 4 that it’s a good decision.”
Channel 4 is owned by the Government but generates its revenue from advertising and the move to Birmingham would be funded by a sale of its head office in London.
Last autumn it was reported that although the board of Channel 4 was yet to be convinced of the benefits of a move, Government ministers suggested Birmingham as Channel 4’s new home if the broadcaster wanted to remain in public ownership.
Mr Street also promised to fight for Government funding towards Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games bid, and support Coventry’s City of Culture application.
The manifesto also confirms many policies already promised, such as a guarantee to end youth unemployment and the re-opening of the Camp Hill and Sutton Park rail lines, as well as new Midlands Metro lines.
There is also a pledge to increase investment in cycling routes and initiatives from 25p per head to £10 per head across the West Midlands.
Roads also feature with a series of congestion-busting proposals, including a region-wide list of the worst congestion black spots and plans to fix them, more park and rides, and incentives for HGVs to use the M6 Toll Road at peak time.
He also rules out universal congestion charging.
Under measures designed to “restore pride in the region”, Mr Street plans a Mayor’s Community Day once a year with events such as litter picking and help for the vulnerable and elderly.
Introducing the manifesto, he said: “As a proud Brummie brought up here, I have seen the beginning of a renaissance of the West Midlands. But it needs to go much further and touch the daily lives of many more residents.
“The new role of a mayor offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to accelerate this transformation and truly realise our potential. We must not squander this opportunity.”
Other candidates for mayor are James Burn (Green), Pete Durnell (UKIP), Beverley Nielsen (Libe Dem) Siôn Simon(Lab), Graham Stevenson (Communist).