East Birmingham Inclusive Growth Strategy - February 2021
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East Birmingham
Inclusive Growth Strategy
February 2021
1
CONTENTS
Foreword page 3
Introduction page 4
The need for this strategy
Purpose
About East Birmingham page 8
Challenges
The opportunity page 18
Investing in the community
Major transport improvements
New homes and jobs
Clean energy and climate change
The Commonwealth Games
Vision page 26
Objectives
Approach
Big moves
- Improved local services
- Business, employment and skills
- Local places and green spaces
- Midland Metro East Birmingham to Solihull extension
- Heavy rail network
Principles
- Prioritising East Birmingham
- Investing in the environment
- Joined-up working
- Empowering communities
- Transparency
- Working locally
- Putting technology to work
- Joined-up transport
Next steps page 38
east birmingham growth strategy / contents contents / east birmingham growth strategy
2 3
FOREWORD
East Birmingham is a growing place; a place with great potential. It is home
to more than 230,000 people and forms a crucial part of the city and region’s economy.
Major growth is coming which will deliver more than 60,000 new jobs and 10,000 homes
within and near to East Birmingham over the next ten years. With the coming of HS2 and
the proposed Midland Metro East Birmingham to Solihull extension, East Birmingham has a
once in a lifetime opportunity for positive change.
In this Inclusive Growth Strategy, we now set out a clear vision for the future of East
Birmingham as an excellent place of strong communities in which to live and work, to grow
up and to grow old. To achieve this vision, the Council will work closely with partners to
address health and employment inequalities, improve social mobility and make lasting
improvements to residents’ lives. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these
issues are even more urgent.
Climate change is a key priority for the whole city and East Birmingham will be at the
forefront of our efforts as a new centre for sustainable and low carbon technologies which
will make a major contribution to achieving our target of a zero-carbon Birmingham by 2030.
The success of this strategy will be measured not just by how quickly growth is delivered,
or how much East Birmingham is improved as a place, but by how effectively growth is
harnessed for the benefit of the local people, and how we enable people of all backgrounds
and ages to come together to realise their shared aspirations and live healthy, sustainable,
and successful lives.
During the preparation of the strategy we have worked with the community and
stakeholders to understand the challenges and opportunities and develop a shared vision.
Using the Strategy as our foundation we will be working together to deliver this vision and
shape the future of East Birmingham.
Councillor Ian Ward
Leader
Birmingham City Council
east birmingham growth strategy / foreword foreword / east birmingham growth strategy
4 Introduction 5
Birmingham is experiencing strong and sustained growth and it is predicted that the city’s
population will grow by 150,000 people by 2031. During this period, Birmingham City
Council has an ambitious strategy to provide 65,400 new homes, 100,000 jobs and the
infrastructure that is needed to meet the needs of the growing population. A significant part
of this growth will be concentrated in the east of the city, stimulated by HS2 and enabled
by improved transport links including the Metro extension to Solihull and the Sprint rapid
transit route along the A45 Coventry Road corridor.
The Council is committed to reducing The need for this strategy The COVID-19 pandemic is having a
inequalities and building a fair, inclusive In 2017 a baseline study was undertaken to dramatic effect across the whole of East
city. We will do this by making sure that explore the best way forward for the East Birmingham - and in many cases has
the benefits of growth are shared more Birmingham and North Solihull Inclusive magnified many of the existing issues in
fairly, providing new opportunities for Growth Corridor, to tackle the long-standing the area. The pandemic and its long-lasting
local people to change their lives for the problems facing the area and make the effects must be fully addressed as part of
better and delivering lasting improvements most of the social, environmental and the regeneration of East Birmingham. M
to living standards, education and skills, economic opportunities provided by the M (To 6
6 ll)
access to jobs and opportunities, health, coming of HS2, the Midland Metro East
2
M4
the environment, local places and transport. Birmingham to Solihull extension and
This is what is meant by Inclusive Growth. the jobs growth that is expected at key BIRMINGHAM
employment sites.
Inclusive Growth is defined by the West The study concluded that a new approach
Midlands Combined Authority as follows: is required with two key elements. There will
be a focus on places, including improving
A more deliberate and socially purposeful
M5
transport connections, stimulating local
model of economic growth - measured not
growth and involving local people and EAST
only by how fast or aggressive it is; but also Birmingham BIRMINGHAM
businesses in shaping this growth and
by how well it is created and shared across City Centre
NORTH M6
benefiting from it. There will also be a real SOLIHULL
the whole population and place, and by
focus on people including partnership
the social and environmental outcomes it
realises for our people - an economy that
working to improve the way that the public
sector works, both for local people and with PLAN 1 East Birmingham and North Solihull ✈
Birmingham
shares the values of its citizens. Inclusive Growth Corridor context Airport
local people.
Key
In East Birmingham this work will be led by
East Birmingham and neighbouring
the East Birmingham Board which brings Birmingham and Solihull boundary M4
2
North Solihull has been chosen as an SOLIHULL
together the Council with key partners
Inclusive Growth Corridor where a new East Birmingham/North Solihull corridor
including the NHS and Birmingham
partnership working approach is being
Children’s Trust. The Board will work Motorway
pioneered, bringing together public sector
closely with the West Midlands Combined
organisations, businesses and the local Major road
Authority, Transport for West Midlands
community to deliver growth, to develop
and Solihull Council’s Solihull Together Rail line M42
new approaches and better ways of working
partnership which is responsible for
to ensure that this growth is inclusive.
delivering inclusive growth in the North n NOT TO
SCALE
M
40
Solihull area. NORTH
east birmingham growth strategy / introduction introduction / east birmingham growth strategy
6 7
Each year the organisations which make up Purpose
The role of the community
the Board spend several hundred million The East Birmingham Inclusive Growth
pounds in East Birmingham and, although The publication of this draft document Strategy has been adopted by the Council
a huge amount is achieved, there are some for consultation has been the first step and the East Birmingham Board to guide
persistent problems which have not been of a continuous process of engagement the delivery of inclusive growth in East
fully addressed by our current ways of through which residents of East Birmingham over the next 20 years.
working. Over time this has led to people Birmingham will be empowered not only
in East Birmingham being left behind some to shape and influence the strategy and To do this it sets out:
other parts of the city in key areas including decide how it is to be delivered, but also to
health, job prospects and earnings, creating • A Vision for the regeneration of East
play a leading role in that delivery.
significant inequalities which must now be Birmingham.
addressed. This approach will follow the city council’s • The Objectives which we will seek to
principles of Localism: deliver.
All of the Board partners have therefore
committed to work together and with the Our overall aim is to move from focusing • Five Big Moves - the major changes which
local community to bring about the major on the city council and its structures to a are needed to deliver these objectives.
changes which are needed to ensure that citizen focused approach, working with • A strong set of Principles to guide all of
these challenges are tackled effectively and neighbourhoods to make things work the work which is needed to achieve the
that the maximum value for local people is better from the point of view of local vision.
achieved for every pound that is spent. This residents.
strategy builds on the insights provided • Next Steps giving an overview of the work
by the baseline study to set out how this To help the communities of East which will deliver the strategy.
commitment will be achieved in East Birmingham achieve their aspirations we
Birmingham using innovative new principles will support local groups and organisations The strategy is informed by and sits
and ways of working. by: alongside other strategies and publications
including the Birmingham Development
• Supporting Ward Forums to create Ward Plan, Bordesley Green Area Action Plan and
Plans setting out their priorities and the Birmingham and Solihull Sustainability
aspirations. and Transformation Partnership (STP)
• Providing information and advice. Strategy.
• Help communities develop their capacity
to actively build the social and economic
potential of their area.
To help the communities of East Birmingham
achieve their aspirations we will support
local groups and organisations
east birmingham growth strategy / introduction introduction / east birmingham growth strategy
8 About East Birmingham 9
East Birmingham is made up of vibrant, dynamic and unique places with bustling shopping
streets and attractive parks and green spaces.
It is a young place where a third of residents boundary with Solihull in the east. The area
are under 16 years old - one of the highest covers around a quarter of Birmingham,
proportions of children in the country. It is affecting all or part of 20 local council wards
a welcoming place where people of many and 4 parliamentary constituencies, and with
different nationalities have made their a population in excess of 230,000 people, by
homes, bringing with them diverse cultures, itself it is larger than many British towns and
faiths and languages. However, it is also a cities.
place with significant long-term challenges,
where people are more likely than most The plan shows the 5 areas which will be BIRMINGHAM
people elsewhere in the region to struggle used here to describe the places that make
with issues such as poor health, poverty and up East Birmingham:
getting around. • Northern Industrial Corridor. SOLIHULL
For the purposes of this strategy, East • Southern Industrial Area.
Birmingham is defined as everything from • Inner East Birmingham. NORTHERN
INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR
the M6 and A38 corridor in the north, to the
• Mid East Birmingham.
A45 Coventry Road in the south, and from
Birmingham city centre in the west to the • Outer East Birmingham
INNER EAST
BIRMINGHAM
MID EAST
BIRMINGHAM OUTER EAST
BIRMINGHAM
PLAN 2 East Birmingham Inclusive Growth
Strategy sub areas
Key
East Birmingham is made East Birmingham Inclusive Growth Strategy
Birmingham/Solihull boundary
SOUTHERN
INDUSTRIAL AREA
up of vibrant, dynamic ( Birmingham Airport
n NOT TO
✈
and unique places NORTH SCALE
east birmingham growth strategy / about east birmingham about east birmingham / east birmingham growth strategy
10 11
Area 1: Northern Industrial Corridor Area 2: Southern Industrial Area
Running east-west along the route of the In the southern part of East Birmingham,
River Tame, this area is mainly industrial in there is another significant industrial
nature. It includes major road connections area alongside the A45, Birmingham-
including the A38, M6 motorway and A47 CASTLE VALE
Solihull railway line and the Grand Union
Heartlands Spine Road. canal. Focused historically on the Tyseley
Locomotive Works (now an engineering
The corridor includes key employment restoration centre and busy heritage
locations including Star City, the Fort attraction), the area is now home to
Shopping Park, Fort Dunlop and Jaguar M6
the Tyseley Energy Park and many light
)
M
8(
Land Rover’s Castle Bromwich site and the A3
8
manufacturing firms which benefit from the
A3
A47
residential areas of Nechells and Castle Vale. area’s good road and rail transport links.
HAY MILLS
5
The area features an ethnically diverse There are small pockets of houses within this A4 THE SWAN
population, and many different languages PLAN 3 Northern Industrial Corridor area, especially to its eastern edge, and the
other than English are spoken. In some ALUM ROCK ROAD densely populated area of Sparkbrook lies
40
parts of the area there are issues with close by to the south.
40
A
Key
overcrowding, however there are also good
examples of housing led regeneration, such East Birmingham Inclusive Growth Strategy Despite the road and rail connections into
as Castle Vale. area boundary the city centre, public transport in this area
Motorway does not offer good connections to many
Poor air quality is a significant problem other parts of Birmingham.
across this area, mainly arising from major Major road
BORDESLEY GREEN PLAN 4 Southern Industrial Area
roads around the city centre, and along the Rail line
M6 corridor.
Canal Key
Industrial and commercial East Birmingham Inclusive Growth Strategy Industrial and commercial
area boundary
Residential Residential
Motorway
Public open space Public open space
Major road
Local centres Local centres
Rail line
n
NORTH
NOT TO
SCALE
Canal n
NORTH
NOT TO
SCALE
east birmingham growth strategy / about east birmingham about east birmingham / east birmingham growth strategy
12 13
Area 3: Inner East Birmingham Area 4: Mid East Birmingham
Covering the areas of Small Heath, Including Washwood Heath, Stechford and
Bordesley Green and Alum Rock, this area Yardley; the character of this area is 20th
is very densely populated. Most residents century inter-war housing and leafy tree- M6
living in terraced housing, built in the late lined streets. The housing is a mixture of
19th and early 20th century, and face higher WARD END
council and owner occupied, with a limited
levels of poverty and deprivation than ALUM ROCK ROAD amount of 19th century larger housing to
elsewhere in East Birmingham. PELHAM
the west, particularly in Stechford and parts
of Washwood Heath.
The population is predominantly Asian and WARD END
British Asian and includes many people The Cole Valley creates a green core which FOX AND
GOOSE
born overseas. This part of East Birmingham runs through this area from north to south,
28
is a particularly young area, with a greater B41 past Heartlands Hospital at the centre of the PELHAM
proportion of young people and children BORDESLEY GREEN area.
than anywhere else in the country.
GREEN LANE STECHFORD
Mid East Birmingham has many desirable
There are large retail centres at Coventry neighbourhoods, however, there are some
A404
COVENTRY ROAD
Road in Small Heath, Alum Rock Road and parts in the centre and south of the area B41
0
28
Bordesley Green, which cater for the needs which have become more deprived over
of the local communities. Alum Rock Road recent years.
also has an important role as a specialist
retail destination for South Asian goods
including jewellery, clothes and textiles, PLAN 5 Inner East Birmingham PLAN 6 Mid East Birmingham
attracting shoppers from around the YARDLEY
country.
Key Key HAY MILLS
THE SWAN
East Birmingham Inclusive Growth Strategy Industrial and commercial East Birmingham Inclusive Growth Strategy Residential
area boundary area boundary
A4
Residential Public open space 5
Motorway Motorway
Public open space Local centres
Major road Major road
Local centres Heartlands Hospital and Tamarind Centre
Rail line Rail line
n
NORTH
NOT TO
SCALE
Industrial and commercial n
NORTH
NOT TO
SCALE
east birmingham growth strategy / about east birmingham about east birmingham / east birmingham growth strategy
14
ECONOMIC INACTIVITY
2011 CENSUS 15
Challenges
Much of East Birmingham falls within the
Many health problems have a significant
impact on local residents’ quality of life
35%
EAST BIRMINGHAM
top 20% most deprived areas in England and on their ability to secure and maintain
according to Government statistics. This employment which creates a spiral of
means that income, unemployment, health, problems. The high rate of health problems
education, housing, crime and the living also puts pressure on local health services,
environment are poorer than elsewhere in
the country. Many of these problems are
meaning that the quality of services is
affected. For example, many providers find 31% 23%
common across the West Midlands, however ENGLAND
it hard to see everyone who comes for help. BIRMINGHAM
they are generally worse in East Birmingham Combined with wider issues seen nationally
Area 5: Outer East Birmingham than they are across the rest of the region. and across Birmingham and Solihull, such
as our ageing society, these factors are
Taking in Hodge Hill, Shard End, Lea Hall, All of these key challenges need to be increasing pressure on services and the WORKING AGE RESIDENTS NOT
Garretts Green and Sheldon, outer East addressed to improve the lives of residents health and social care system as a whole. EMPLOYED OR SEEKING WORK
Birmingham is a residential area featuring a TIMBERLEY and to help East Birmingham realise its full
mixture of mainly 20th century inter-war and potential. However, these issues are linked Because of these pressures it can also
3
post-war housing. It is a green area, with the SHARD END together and improvements in one area will be hard to attract and retain health PEOPLE LIVING IN AREAS OF
VERY HIGH DEPRIVATION ARE...
x
Cole Valley cutting through east-west and is also have benefits elsewhere. professionals in East Birmingham. Many of
home to a large number of parks and open
MORE
the local GPs are approaching retirement
spaces. There are also large industrial areas age and in many cases are running practices
near Lea Hall, Tile Cross and Garretts Green. Health
LIKELY
GLEBE FARM
on their own. Recruitment to key roles in
Compared with many other parts of the city, community services such as health visiting
This area has the largest population of older people in East Birmingham have shorter
TO...
and district nursing is also a challenge.
people, with one in eight residents being LEA VILLAGE lives and are far more likely to experience
over 65, many of whom who live alone. B4128
poor health. The number of people living Some health services in East Birmingham
Rates of car ownership are the highest in with, or dying early from, long term health operate out of poor-quality buildings. This BE ADMITTED FOR PREVENTABLE
Outer East Birmingham, however public MEADWAY conditions like diabetes, respiratory limits the help that can be provided and CONDITIONS
transport connections with the wider city problems and heart disease is much higher makes it hard for people with mobility
in East Birmingham than in other areas. DIE PREMATURELY FROM
are inadequate, particularly those running problems to use them. PREVENTABLE CONDITIONS
north-south, and it can take a long time to Rates of mental health problems are also
reach places of employment and education. high, ranging from depression and anxiety In those areas of East Birmingham where BE IN CONTACT WITH MENTAL
through to schizophrenia and bipolar the population is very diverse it can be
HEALTH SERVICES
THE RADLEYS disorder. difficult to provide services in all the local HAVE A LONG TERM CONDITION
community languages and in ways which
PLAN 7 O
uter East Birmingham meet everybody’s needs.
Key
LIFE EXPECTANCY
85.1 74.9
A4
5
East Birmingham Inclusive Growth Strategy Industrial and commercial
area boundary SHELDON
Residential
YEARS YEARS
Motorway
Public open space
Major road
Local centres Key challenges need to be addressed to improve the lives
Rail line SUTTON FOUR HEARTLANDS
of residents and to help East Birmingham OAKS WARD WARD
n
NORTH
NOT TO
SCALE
east birmingham growth strategy / about east birmingham about east birmingham / east birmingham growth strategy
16 17
Skills and education Congestion and air quality Economy
Schools and nursery performance and Traffic is a significant problem in East Many people and families in East AREA 1 2 3 4 5 EB Av.
OFSTED ratings are significantly lower in Birmingham. The road network is Birmingham struggle to manage with low
East Birmingham than the national average. overloaded with private cars and as a result incomes. As a result, more than one in three Population 23,300 11,700 61,900 68,300 73,000 238,000
Children’s performance at different stages travelling around the area can be a slow children in the area is living in poverty.
of their education varies across the area, and frustrating experience. The heavy % Under 16 29.9 28.7 31.7 28.7 24.2 28.2
but in general children in East Birmingham traffic also makes the streets dangerous One of the reasons for this is that more
leave school with fewer qualifications than for pedestrians, particularly children, and than twice as many people in the area are % Over 65 9.3 9.3 7.3 11.2 15.0 11.1
average and are less likely to go on to causes very high levels of air pollution in unemployed than the national average.
college or another type of further education. inner East Birmingham and around main Compared with the rest of the country there % Households without
roads. are many more children and young people English as a main language 17.5 18.6 22.1 7.4 2.3 13.58
Adults in East Birmingham typically have in East Birmingham, and also a higher
fewer qualifications than average with The challenge for East Birmingham is the proportion of people who are long-term sick % Unemployed 14.4 11.5 13.0 10.9 9.4 11.2
36% of people having no qualifications, switch to Active Travel, which has been or disabled. As a result, a larger proportion
compared with 28% for Birmingham and confirmed as one of the most pressing of people are out of work or only work % Economically inactive 35.8 40.6 46.1 33.7 27.8 35.2
(working age, out of work and not
23% nationally. This can make it more challenges during the pandemic, both from part-time because they need to care for looking for a job)
difficult for them to find employment, and to a wellbeing and air quality perspective. family members. This type of unemployment
move on to higher-paying jobs. Language is particularly high amongst women. % Households with no car
skills are also an issue for many people, and Poor air quality has serious health impacts, Unemployment is also high amongst young or van 52.7 47.8 42.1 37.4 35.4 43.0
in some parts of the area more than one in including lung cancer and heart disease, people, with almost twice the national
ten people does not speak English well. and it is estimated that up to 900 deaths per average of people between the ages of 16 % Ethnicity:
year are linked to man-made pollution. The and 24 out of work.
There are some areas in the East of City Council is taking steps to address this, White 38.0 23.2 10.4 47.5 77.7 41.2
Birmingham where there are not enough including the adoption of a Clean Air Zone Another issue is that many of the jobs on
local secondary school places for the that covers the city centre. offer in the area are in manufacturing and Asian/Asian British 27.5 58.7 73.0 38.5 12.0 42.0
number of children that live there. This unskilled labour roles; in some cases with
means that some pupils are travelling out Traffic and congestion are worsened by poor pay and unfavourable terms and Black/Black British 24.3 9.6 10.2 7.9 5.0 11.4
of the area to attend a school. Whilst an the fact that public transport in the area conditions. This means that people who are
expansion programme is in progress in the is generally not as good as in other parts out of work can sometimes be discouraged Born overseas 30.0 38.1 41.6 23.7 10.5 28.8
area, a number of secondary school sites of the city: train stations are hard to reach from taking jobs. Although there are some
do not have room to expand on site and so and services are irregular, buses are often opportunities for better paid work within Overcrowded households 17.3 18.0 19.8 12.1 9.4 15.3
alternative options will need to be found delayed due to traffic, and the busy roads East Birmingham and in the surrounding
to create the additional places that are can discourage cycling. As a result, people areas, local people can find it difficult to Lone pensioners 10.7 9.8 7.8 12.0 14.0 10.9
needed. living in East Birmingham often find it hard access them due to congestion and poor
to get to some of the places important to public transport links.
TABLE 1 Key demographics (from 2011 Census and ONS 2017 population estimate).
day-to-day life, making it more difficult to
find a job, attend college, or get to a doctor.
Poor air quality has serious health impacts...
the City Council is taking steps to address this
east birmingham growth strategy / about east birmingham about east birmingham / east birmingham growth strategy18 The opportunity 19
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, East Birmingham has never been in a stronger position
to transform itself. Its location in between Birmingham city centre and Birmingham Airport
means that it already has excellent national and international transport connections and
is well positioned to benefit from the major growth planned around the new HS2 stations
at Curzon in Birmingham city centre and The Hub in Solihull. There are also a number of
forthcoming projects which will deliver new homes, jobs and transport links. However, the
biggest opportunity is to unlock the full potential of East Birmingham’s most important
resource: its people.
supporting communities to work together and quality of life. Supporting these groups have a lifelong impact on that baby’s The City Council will aim to provide more
Investing in the community to achieve shared goals through the Ward to do even more, and helping communities mental and emotional health. International safe spaces for children to enjoy natural
There is a vast amount of potential in Planning process. This is an opportunity to form and continually grow new groups, is studies demonstrate that when a baby’s play. Initiatives like Active Streets provide an
East Birmingham, which is home to many for people in East Birmingham to develop a key priority. development falls behind during these first example of what needs to be applied on a
talented and hard-working people. By strong relationships with each other and years of life, it is more likely to fall even larger scale to the whole area - reclaiming
helping them to overcome the challenges with their local Councillors, and to come These groups and organisations were very further behind as time goes on. streets from traffic to provide a safe
which are mentioned above, people in East together to make positive change. This active during the pandemic lockdowns. environment for children to cycle to schools
Birmingham can be enabled to achieve approach will be developed further by The City Council recognises that the same There is evidence that children who have and enjoy unstructured play.
this potential, to have an active role in the ‘Pioneer Places’ where new ideas for organisations should also be an integral part stressful and traumatic lives are much more
their community and in the growth of neighbourhood working will be trialled and of the economic recovery. They are not seen likely to suffer with a range of problems An important part of this approach relates
Birmingham’s economy, to have more of learning will be shared across the whole of as a route to cost savings in public services; in later life including crime, drug abuse, to the way that children are readied to
a say in the decisions which affect them, the city. rather, these groups and organisations poor health and mental illnesses. On the take part in adult life: helping children to
and become healthier, happier and more are a source of community wealth and other hand, a good education is a key understand the options available to them
financially secure. The city council has made a commitment will be directed to growing new forms of contributing factor that supports children’s when they finish school and providing
to support local co-operatives and community ownership in the commercial development and their ability to lead an positive examples of potential career
In addition to helping individuals, tackling community enterprises. These will provide economy. active healthy life as they grow into young pathways can encourage them to have
these issues also benefits wider society ownership and enable people to drive adults. greater aspirations and to be motivated to
by reducing the strain on public services, the development of their local economy The children of East Birmingham are the achieve them.
meaning better services can be provided through community-led economic future of East Birmingham, and there is Many of the problems which hold people
for those who need them. For example, it is development. Local Wealth Building can a major opportunity to change lives for back are much easier to deal with if they are
widely accepted that people in employment also be included in Ward Plans going the better by helping them to have the caught early. By focussing on supporting
are generally healthier and therefore make forward. best possible start in life. This starts in people at the right time, and in the right
fewer demands on the health services. pregnancy. A healthy pregnancy can have way, better outcomes can be achieved,
There are also many existing charitable, a positive impact on a baby’s growth and helping people to become healthier,
During community engagement, a ‘strong religious and community groups in East development, reducing the likelihood of happier, resilient and more financially
sense of community’ and a ‘willingness to Birmingham who provide a wide range future health problems such as chronic secure.
come together and get things done’, were of community functions and services. disease. The first 1001 days of a baby’s life
highlighted by local people as key strengths Many of these groups are making major are also critical. The earliest experiences
of the area. The Council is encouraging and contributions to peoples’ health, happiness shape a baby’s brain development and
There is a vast amount of potential in East Birmingham,
which is home to many talented and hard-working people
east birmingham growth strategy / the opportunity the opportunity / east birmingham growth strategy20 21
Major transport improvements
Over coming years East Birmingham’s New clean and safe
transport system will undergo big changes
which will transform the way that it works,
cycling and walking routes East Birmingham’s transport system
tackling problems which have existed for will be provided, helping
many years and delivering a much cleaner,
more sustainable, and more efficient
people to adopt healthy,
active travel habits
will undergo big changes
network that works better for everybody.
In January 2020 the Council published a
Transport Plan which explains what will be
done between now and 2031 to create this • A SPRINT rapid bus transit route will be
new public transport system. Changing the created along the A45 Coventry Road.
way that people move around Birmingham Sprint will have a dedicated lane, allowing
will reduce congestion, improve air quality it to cut through congestion and provide a
and encourage people into healthier travel fast and reliable service.
habits such as walking and cycling.
• Improvements to the rail network PLAN 8 Transport improvements
providing more frequent train services
from existing stations as well as the new
Key
Improvements to the stations near The Fort and Castle Vale on
the Water Orton line. East Birmingham Inclusive Growth Strategy
transport system will make it area boundary
easier for people to get around, • Improvements to main roads and Rail line
junctions, including the Iron Lane junction
helping them to access job ( Birmingham Airport
improvements in Stechford.
opportunities in the area HS2 route
around East Birmingham • A wide range of improvements to bus
Proposed rail stations
routes including bus priority measures to
reduce delays in areas with heavy traffic. Proposed Metro extension/stops
Proposed Sprint route
There are already plans for major • Extensive improvements to cycle and
improvements to transport in East walking routes across the area including On-road cycle routes
Birmingham, including: new segregated cycle lanes and secure Proposed on-road cycle routes
bike parking facilities.
• A new Midland Metro tram route Off-road cycle routes
running from the city centre through East Proposed off-road cycle routes
Birmingham to Solihull and the Airport,
Canal
providing a new direct and reliable
connection to both HS2 stations and to
Birmingham city centre. n
NORTH
NOT TO
SCALE
✈
east birmingham growth strategy / the opportunity the opportunity / east birmingham growth strategy22 23
New homes and jobs • At Peddimore near Castle Vale, 6,500 jobs
HS2 is a once in a lifetime opportunity for
The Birmingham Development Plan sets out
an ambitious programme of development
to meet the needs of the city’s growing
will be created as part of the development
of a 71 hectare site for business and
manufacturing uses.
East Birmingham
HS2 will pass through East Birmingham on
HS2 is a once in a lifetime
population. In East Birmingham this growth
is concentrated at Bordesley Park and the
Eastern Triangle which is the area around
• 36,000 jobs will be created by new
developments in the city centre including
its way between stations at Birmingham
Curzon and UK Central in Solihull. The new
stations will be surrounded by new jobs
opportunity for East Birmingham
Meadway, Shard End and Stechford where the transformation of the Curzon area in
and development.
1,000 new houses are proposed. The the vicinity of the new HS2 station.
In Birmingham city centre the HS2
Bordesley Park Area Action Plan sets out • The development of the former LDV and Curzon Station will sit at the centre of
a vision for an area of over 580 hectares in Alstom sites at Washwood Heath to create the 141-hectare Curzon Growth Area and
inner East Birmingham including proposals the HS2 Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot, adjacent to the city’s Knowledge Hub
for 750 homes and up to 3000 jobs, the HS2 Network Control Centre and a range where Innovation Birmingham, Birmingham
strengthening of the local economy and by of other employment uses is expected to City University and Aston University are
seeking to improve connectivity and the create 2,000 jobs. delivering major expansion plans. To the
environment in a sustainable way.
• HS2 will also facilitate major growth at south of the station is the city’s digital and
UK Central in Solihull, near Birmingham media district in Digbeth with its vibrant
The City Council is taking a leading role in
Airport, the NEC and the new HS2 mix of businesses and cultural spaces, the
making this housing growth happen through
interchange station including up to 5,000 growth of which will further enhance the
the award-winning Birmingham Municipal
new homes and supporting 70,000 new city’s historical reputation as a place for
Housing Trust (BMHT) which has plans to
and existing jobs. innovation and enterprise. PLAN 9 Major growth area proposals
build 1,000 high-quality affordable homes in
the area over the next ten years. Key BMHT The UK Central Hub in Solihull is one
• The development of the Wheels site
schemes include Yardley Brook where 298 of the UK’s most strategically important Key
within the Bordesley Park Area Action Plan
units are planned, and sites at Bromford development areas and a driver of regional
area for employment and industrial uses East Birmingham Inclusive Growth Strategy
and the former Poolway shopping centre at and national economic growth. The
creating up to 3000 jobs. area boundary ALUM ROCK ROAD
Meadway. 140-hectare Arden Cross development site
• The Council is committed to revitalising will be home to the new HS2 Interchange ( Birmingham Airport
It is essential that this housing-led local centres across the city and has Station which will be on the doorstep of Birmingham Development Plan Growth Area
STECHFORD
HS2
approach fully includes the wider published proposals in the Urban Centres Birmingham Airport and within easy reach
Urban centre CURZON
neighbourhood, taking into account the Framework for a number of major centres of Birmingham Business Park, Jaguar Land STATION BORDESLEY GREEN
MEADWAY
wider community, local environment, including Meadway, Bordesley Green, Rover and the NEC. Washwood Heath
local economy and transport - to create Coventry Road, Alum Rock Road and Within East Birmingham itself HS2 will HS2 depot
pleasant neighbourhoods that work well for Stechford. create major opportunities for jobs and COVENTRY ROAD
everyone. Wheels site
• The Council is working alongside the training including up to 500 new jobs at
Birmingham Anchor Institution Network the HS2 maintenance depot and control Housing development
In the near future the East Birmingham centre in Washwood Heath. There will also
jobs market will benefit from a number of and local employers, so that as many of Housing regeneration
these newly created jobs are given to be supply chain opportunities for local
significant developments both within the businesses.
people in East Birmingham.
area and nearby:
Though there will be a degree of short-
n
NORTH
NOT TO
SCALE ✈
UK
term disruption, there are immense CENTRAL
opportunities in the short, medium and
long-term from the changes brought about
by HS2.
east birmingham growth strategy / the opportunity the opportunity / east birmingham growth strategy24 25
Clean energy and climate change
Tyseley is at the forefront of clean energy
The Council has declared a climate
and sustainable technologies
emergency and set the ambition for the
city to become carbon neutral by 2030. At Tyseley Energy Park (TEP) important
Moving to zero carbon will bring many progress is being made to develop green
opportunities, including better health and technologies.
wellbeing, better jobs, and better places
to live. A partnership Climate Change TEP is home to a waste wood biomass
Taskforce has been assembled to decide power plant which provides power for
how the whole city can make the required Webster and Horsfalls’ manufacturing
changes to the way that people live, work, operation.
and travel in order for Birmingham to lead The next step will be the development of
the way in tackling climate change. the UK’s first low and zero carbon refuelling
station which will include a range of
East Birmingham is the home of Tyseley fuels that will reduce emissions including
Energy Park where excellent work is hydrogen, Compressed Natural Gas,
already underway to develop new Commercial Scale Electric Chargers and
sustainable technologies, including ways Biodiesel.
of generating clean energy. This has the
potential for significant expansion and In the future there are plans to build an
will play a key role as the city develops a energy from waste facility that will be
new waste and recycling strategy. There capable of generating renewable heat,
is an opportunity for this growth sector electricity and biomethane that can be
to be one of the ‘industries of the future’ used across the city.
which will attract future investment to East
Birmingham, creating skills and employment
opportunities for local people. The Commonwealth Games
In 2022 Birmingham is set to host the
Commonwealth Games. In preparation for
the Games the city is investing in extensive
improvements to its sporting venues and
facilities.
The Council has The main focus for the Commonwealth
Games will be in the north of the City
declared a climate where improvements are on site which will
transform the local centre, road network
emergency and set and railway station The Athletes’ Village
is currently under construction. This
temporary accommodation for athletes will
the ambition for the be converted after the games to provide
1,400 new homes. However, the benefits
city to become carbon are not limited to Perry Barr, and the entire
city will benefit from the vast investment
neutral by 2030 that the Commonwealth games will bring
to Birmingham, including job opportunities
and significant improvements to the city’s
transport system.
east birmingham growth strategy / the opportunity the opportunity / east birmingham growth strategy26 Vision 27
The East Birmingham Board has proposed the following overall vision and objectives for the
future of East Birmingham.
• Improve fairness in employment, including We aim to: Economy We aim to:
The Council and its partners will make use
supporting those who have not had a job •S
upport people to live longer and lead We want East Birmingham to be flourishing • Increase people’s satisfaction with their
of the unique opportunities and potential
for long time into secure work. independent, healthy lives. place where people are able to contribute quality of life in their neighbourhood.
of East Birmingham to create a clean, safe,
• Improve fairness in education. to and take advantage of the benefits and
prosperous and well-connected place
• Improve people’s health and wellbeing opportunities provided by a thriving local • Give people more power to make
where citizens from all backgrounds have
(including mental health). economy. decisions on public-sector spending in
access to excellent housing, education,
Education and learning their local areas.
healthcare, green spaces and employment • Reduce infant mortality. We aim to:
opportunities. Local communities will work We want people in East Birmingham to
• Increase the number of people in • Support communities to do more things
together as part of the team to achieve benefit from the best start in life and to be •S
upport and enable families to give
employment (including increasing the for themselves.
their aspirations and will share a strong able to obtain the knowledge, skills, and children the best start in life.
qualifications that will help them achieve number of people with higher-skilled and • Support people of every age, sexual
sense of ownership and pride in their area. •P
rovide accurate information advice and
their potential and succeed in secure and sustainable jobs). orientation, gender identity, faith, disability
The main role of East Birmingham within guidance to enable residents to more
the wider city region will be as a desirable sustainable employment. and ethnicity to participate and feel
easily understand the health system and • Reduce the employment gap for people
yet affordable residential area with with ill health and/or disability. able to be an active part of their local
We aim to: how it can meet their health and wellbeing
excellent amenities which is particularly community.
• Increase the number of children who thrive needs.
suitable for families with children, and as • Support more local businesses to provide
a centre for low carbon and sustainable and whose fundamental physical and safe, healthy and financially secure jobs.
industries. psychological needs are met. The environment
Affordable, safe and connected places • Promote a healthy food economy across The work undertaken to achieve our vision
• Increase the number of children who are We want East Birmingham to be a desirable East Birmingham.
Objectives for East Birmingham will be shaped by
school ready. and affordable place where people want
The strategy seeks to improve all aspects of • Reduce the number of working people our responsibility to protect and enhance
to live, work, learn, and spend time in, and
the lives of people in East Birmingham. The • Increase the number of children meeting who are in poverty. our environment to ensure the benefits of
where people can get to where they need to
objectives of the strategy are divided into their developmental goals and improve inclusive growth can be enjoyed by current
go safely and easily. • Support the creation of new co-operatives
the following key themes: children’s academic performance. and future generations.
We aim to: and social enterprises and create greater
• Increase the number of people with opportunities for these organisations in We aim to:
Equality • Improve living standards.
qualifications. business and public sector organisations. • Improve air quality.
We want East Birmingham to be a fair
place where people (regardless of their • Increase the number of young people in •R
educe overcrowding and homelessness.
• Improve the natural environment and
background, age, ability, and needs) respect employment, education, or training.
• Reduce crime. Power, influence and participation neighbourhoods, (including parks and
one another, have high aspirations, equal
We want people in East Birmingham to be green spaces).
access to opportunities, and can achieve • Improve how people can get around
what they want to achieve. empowered, able to exercise their rights • Increase the number of people using
Health and wellbeing (including buses, trains, cycling, and
and responsibilities, and able to influence sustainable methods of transport.
We want East Birmingham to be a place walking).
We aim to: decision-making that affects them and their
where people enjoy longer, healthier lives
• Improve people’s overall quality of life • Improve road safety. communities.
and feel part of resilient and independent
(including education, health, and crime communities that take care of each other.
levels).
east birmingham growth strategy / vision vision / east birmingham growth strategy28 29
Approach Big moves • Improve access to health services, helping Regional Schools Commissioner to
To achieve the vision for East Birmingham The Big Moves are the five major changes local people to access the right service at improve underperforming schools and
we will work in partnership to bring forward that need to happen for the Vision to be the right time. academies.
five Big Moves - the key changes that are achieved. The delivery of the Big Moves
• Understand the reasons why people die • Continuing to invest in the improvement
needed to deliver inclusive growth - and will require all of the East Birmingham
early in East Birmingham and develop of school buildings and bring forward
adopt new ways of working, following the Board partners and the community to work
services which can help. proposals for the redevelopment of
principles set out in this strategy. This new together; and in some cases will require the
• Invest in local voluntary and community schools, where capital funding allows.
approach will require significant changes to support of Government.
the way that we plan, deliver and evaluate sector services and create a network of • Supporting the expansion of high-
services, connect with our communities, and The Big Moves are not the only activities link workers to help local people find out performing schools and encouraging
work with our partners. which are needed to deliver the Vision, but about what support and activities are the creation of new school provision if
they are the most important. available to them locally. required.
Social, economic, and environmental • Have a greater emphasis on the
challenges are often linked - for example, Improved local services • Supporting schools to promote inclusivity,
promotion of health and wellbeing enabling pupils with additional or special
transport improvements can deliver Good quality local services are critical to including increased support for healthy
economic growth, better wellbeing, the wellbeing of all communities and are educational needs to access their local
and nutritious eating. school.
more jobs, and improve the quality of the particularly important in areas like East
environment. However, in order to secure Birmingham where educational attainment • Maximise efficiency in how we use public • Helping schools to work together and
the full benefits, and to ensure that they levels are lower, health is poorer and social resources. share best practice through School
are shared fairly, a joined-up approach is problems are more commonplace. • Bring together local primary care services Collaborative Working Pilots and by
needed that brings together the partners (such as GPs, community pharmacies and pairing high-performing institutions
and community to work together as a team. Improving the performance of the health dentists) with community services like with those that are struggling to share
service, social care services, and education district nursing, social work and mental successful approaches.
Guided by the proposed principles are essential to achieving the Vision. To health support to better plan and co-
below, as well as the responses we have achieve this, we will work together to • Supporting the provision of out of school
ordinate help for those who need it. early years provision including childcare,
received in the public consultation on this consider how each of the services can
document, the East Birmingham Board provide better outcomes and a better • Continuously improve the quality of care. play groups and activities for young
will work to ensure that all of our activities overall experience to those who use it, Raise the qualtiy of health services by children.
are joined-up, including the delivery of the focussing on people rather than processes. making improvements to premises and
• Working with early years health and
Big Moves, and that we are maximising supporting those services which have
wellbeing providers, maternity providers
the social, environmental, health and We will also prioritise East Birmingham for been rated as inadequate to improve.
and NHS partners to ensure all children
economic benefits of growth. The lessons the improvement of existing services and • Work with the providers of day care, have the best start in life.
that are learned in East Birmingham, and as the place to develop new and innovative residential care and nursing homes to
the successes that we achieve, will be used approaches in collaboration with the ensure that services are of a good quality We will also explore opportunities to make
to guide the delivery of inclusive growth local community. This will include working and meet the needs of local residents. the best use of our land and buildings in
elsewhere in the city and region. together to tackle local issues and to target East Birmingham to deliver our services
interventions wherever there is a particular • Support those who take on formal or
more efficiently and to support community
Our first priority will be building upon things need. informal carers’ roles for friends and
and voluntary activities wherever possible.
that are already having positive impacts families to remain well.
In some places it may be possible to create
on people, accelerating our existing plans For our health services we will seek to:
The City Council will ensure that children in multi-agency hubs - buildings where several
for improvement and ensuring that East • Work with local communities, providing East Birmingham have access to excellent different services are available in the same
Birmingham is at the front of the queue them with tools and information to make schools and early years provision by: place. Through this exercise we will also
whenever there are opportunities for healthier choices and manage their health work with communities to seek productive
investment and innovation. problems. • Working with the Birmingham Education new uses for any building or land which is no
Partnership, Multi-Academy Trusts and longer needed.
east birmingham growth strategy / vision vision / east birmingham growth strategy30 31
Business, employment and skills • Communicate this offer to local people •S
upporting the growth of green
Improved transport links - both within East
Birmingham and from the area to other
through community venues, community
organisations, social media, etc.
technology and green energy businesses,
building on the projects that are underway
We want
parts of the city and wider region - will help at Tyseley Energy Centre.
residents in East Birmingham to benefit from
new and existing employment opportunities
• Work with employers, training and
employment support providers to develop •H
elping businesses to innovative in residents...
including those in the city centre and at UK clear pathways for local people into good recruiting people with appropriate skills
Central. We will focus our energy on making
sure that local people know about these
jobs. and experience.
to have every
• Target our resources in areas of East •E
xpanding our existing range of business
jobs and the support that is available to help
them to get them. We want residents in East
Birmingham with particularly low levels
of employment and also on young
support services which includes grants,
loans, advice and training. At present opportunity
Birmingham to have every opportunity to unemployed people who are most likely to we are not able to offer grants to shops
get better paid jobs and fulfilling careers. benefit. and retail businesses. We will work to
change this to ensure that we can do to get better
Support to get a job and access training • Support businesses of all types and sizes more to support more businesses in East
to create greater social value for their local
is available but it isn’t always easy for local
residents to find out what it is and where to communities.
Birmingham.
paid jobs and
get it, or to know what the best route is to •D
eveloping the ability of businesses
achieve their career goals. The economic
impact of the pandemic has made it even
We know that we can deliver targeted
support to certain areas and people who
to support the health and wellbeing of
their employees using the Thrive at Work fulfilling careers
more difficult for people to access jobs. need it now but there is much more that framework.
According to WMCA’s State of the Region could be done. We will work to explore
opportunities to secure additional funding •W
orking with the food industry including
2020 report, 496,000 people across the training providers, food suppliers,
West Midlands Region were on furlough for East Birmingham to accelerate and
expand the employment and training offer processers and retailers - in the public,
in June 2020, the equivalent of all jobs in private and third sector - to build a healthy
Birmingham. The claimant count has nearly in East Birmingham.
food economy. This will both strengthen
doubled overall. local businesses and increase access to
Local businesses have a key role to play in
the economy and can also contribute to fresh, healthy food.
We want to change this by making sure
that the offer to residents is clear and that helping people to live healthy lives. We •D
esigning grants to address the healthy
city and region-wide programmes have will support the growth and vitality of local food economy and create more lasting
a clear focus and targeted offer for East businesses by: impact on the health and wellbeing of
Birmingham. To support this we will work to: • Encouraging larger businesses and local communities.
• Clearly set out what employment and organisations in the area to build positive •D
evelop the role of Heartlands Hospital as
training opportunities are available to relationships with local smaller businesses an anchor employer for the community of
people in East Birmingham. and organisations. This includes East Birmingham, and explore the many
developing local supply chains and sharing opportunities provided by Universitiy
learning and best practice. Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation
Trust.
east birmingham growth strategy / vision vision / east birmingham growth strategy32 33
Local places and green spaces • Seeking ways to preserve, enhance and The Council and our partners are working to
Local centres, shopping parades, parks
and other green spaces have a strong
influence on peoples’ quality of life. They
celebrate local distinctiveness and culture,
such as historic buildings and engage the
community in different ways, including arts
bring forward work to transform our parks
and green spaces. This work, known as
the Future Parks Accelerator programme,
We will explore opportunities to
are the places that people come together and heritage projects. has a chosen focus on Ward End and
for shopping, work, sports and leisure, and
to access local services. Strengthening, The Council’s Urban Centres Framework
Washwood Heath as one of 4 city pilot
areas. This activity will be the first step in
improve parks and green spaces
improving and unlocking the potential of already sets out major plans for the the development of a 25-year plan for the
these places is needed to support growth improvement of some of East Birmingham’s future of the natural environment in East
and to provide a better environment for most important local centres at Alum Rock Birmingham. The natural environment
local people. Road, Bordesley Green, Coventry Road, plan will be used alongside this strategy
Meadway and Stechford. We will work with to provide clear steps forward to
We will do this by working together with the community to deliver these plans and improve the quality of green spaces and
local communities to build on the existing to ensure that the maximum benefits are neighbourhoods. We will make sure that
strengths of each place, identifying realised as quickly as possible. We will also new developments fit in with this plan by
opportunities for improvement, and finding encourage communities to make use of the making a positive contribution to the quality
solutions to local issues and problems. This Urban Centres Toolkit to take the lead in of local places, providing good quality
will help to make these places safer, cleaner improving their local centre. green spaces and creating healthy living
and easier to use, support the growth of environments.
West Midlands Police have identified
local shops, businesses, co-operatives CASTLE
two Impact Areas in East Birmingham at VALE
and social enterprises, help people to live
Bordesley Green and Sparkbrook and
healthier lives and support local community
Sparkhill where there will be a particular
activities and cohesion.
focus on tackling crime and delivering long-
For local shopping centres this will mean: term improvements in safety. We will work
together to support these impact areas, and
• Addressing transport issues such as public PLAN 10 Local centres and green spaces
to address the wider causes and impacts of TIMBERLEY
transport, walking and cycling routes, and
crime across East Birmingham.
car parking.
Key SHARD END
• Improving cleanliness, air quality and the The council will also support West Midlands WARD END FOX AND
GOOSE
quality of the environment. Police initiatives to support recruitment into East Birmingham Inclusive Growth Strategy
the police service from people from a more area boundary ALUM ROCK ROAD
PELHAM GLEBE FARM
• Improving the quality and availability of diverse range of backgrounds. This will help ( Birmingham Airport
facilities for community and voluntary better reflect the communities served in East STECHFORD LEA VILLAGE
Canal
groups. Birmingham and will set a positive example.
Green space
• Reducing the number of empty shop units, We will explore opportunities to improve BORDESLEY GREEN
MEADWAY
making sure that there are good quality parks, green spaces including the Cole Local centre GREEN LANE
spaces for local business, and identifying Valley corridor, and the canal network and Allotments COVENTRY ROAD
opportunities for new development. find ways to encourage more residents
to use these places as part of an active Golf course YEW TREE
• Working with the food sellers and hot
lifestyle. There will be a key role for the local HAY MILLS
THE RADLEYS
food takeaways to provide more healthy
n
THE SWAN
community to help identify what changes NOT TO
choices. NORTH SCALE
and improvements are needed, and to get
• Improving access to local services such involved and play a greater role in looking
as libraries, doctors’ surgeries and leisure after their local green spaces in order to
centres. ensure that the benefits are lasting.
SHELDON
✈
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