West Midlands Mayor Andy Street says Walsall could be put forward to become one of the UK’s new Investment Zones – meaning residents and businesses would benefit from lower taxes, faster development and improved economic prospects.
Mr Street, who leads the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), is in discussions about potential Investment Zones at the HS2 Interchange site near Birmingham Airport and the NEC; the site of the proposed Gigafactory at Coventry Airport and a number of possible sites in the Black Country, including Walsall.
Mr Street said: “The Government has shown a clear commitment to the West Midlands – putting our region at the front of the queue for investment and project delivery here on the ground.
“In particular, they will back us by creating dedicated Investment Zones – with a number of very promising local sites already highlighted – including potentially the Wolverhampton to Walsall corridor.
“This is great news, which will result in residents and businesses in these zones benefitting from lower taxes, faster development and improved economic prospects in the weeks, months and years ahead.”
The WMCA and its partners are also intending to submit additional Investment Zone proposals including in East Birmingham.
Plans for a new railway station at Aldridge, which Mr Street has been campaigning to reopen for number of years, were also included in transport projects which the Government intends to accelerate.
Mr Street said: “The Government has given us a tremendous vote of confidence in our infrastructure plans with the exciting news that vital regional transport projects will be fast tracked – including reopening Aldridge railway station.
“So, I think we can expect diggers in the ground on the majority of these projects by the end of 2023. I cannot wait to see local lives changed for the better as a result of these projects.
“Getting this station built will provide the people of Aldridge with a faster and greener way to get to Walsall and Birmingham.”