PLANS for a new ‘Health and Innovation Campus’ at HS2 Interchange at Arden Cross have been put forward by Meriden MP Saqib Bhatti.
The bid was put to Health Secretary Matt Hancock by Mr Bhatti with support from Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, and Councillor Ian Courts, the Leader of Solihull Council.
Also lending his support has been Coun Ian Ward, the Leader of Birmingham City Council and Labour mayoral candidate Liam Byrne MP, Liam Byrne MP, co-chair of Birmingham’s Inclusive Growth Board.
“We’ve been working for many months on this matter, with support from the University Hospitals Birmingham Trust and it is great to see our campaign gaining momentum,” said Mr Bhatti.
“In securing £50million at the March Budget, we have been able to unlock vast amounts of potential for this project and I am determined to make sure constituents have access to the best healthcare possible and with this health campus.
“This will be a prime location for connectivity, bring thousands of jobs to our area and most importantly increase healthcare provision for our community.”
The Arden Cross site is situated next to the HS2 Interchange Station and as land is opened up for development it will offer plots for a range of commercial, residential, and other purposes.
At maturity, it is expected to support 27,000 jobs with 3,000 homes.
Coun Courts said: “I would like to thank Coun Ian Ward for his support on this campaign.
“It is great to have Birmingham City Council supporting our vision for this project and together we can build on the life science legacy of Andy Street.”
Mr Byrne said: “Our NHS has worked miracles during Covid, but the crisis means waiting lists have soared.
“The Government has promised extra hospitals, so I say today: let’s have a new hospital for east Birmingham and Solihull.”
Coun Ward added: “Covid-19 has had a huge impact on our hospitals and the knock-on effect will continue long into the future.
“That’s why as we begin to recover it is crucial the Government commits to providing the resources the NHS needs in our region.
“I join my Labour colleagues in calling on the Government to choose Arden Cross as the location for a new hospital, giving the people of the West Midlands the access to healthcare that we will need in the coming years.”
