Aims of the programme
This is an exciting time for the East Birmingham Inclusive Growth Programme as we start a range of projects and initiatives and work towards the development of the Levelling Up Zone. This covers East Birmingham and North Solihull.
These projects have different timescales and budgets, ranging from small local projects that can be delivered in a short time to major infrastructure developments with over 10 year timespans.
Read about the four key strands to the programme below.
Jobs and skills
A key aim of the programme is for employment and skills to be more easily accessible to local people and to boost jobs and skills opportunities across the whole area.
We are working with partners to create funding programmes that are helping to bring inward investment. Some programmes are linked to specific projects and employers such as HS2, Heartlands Hospital, Jaguar Land Rover and one of Birmingham’s largest colleges.
Transport and infrastructure
With excellent transport links across Birmingham, West Midlands and the wider UK transport network more widely, East Birmingham is well placed to take advantage of new opportunities.
The new HS2 line between Birmingham and London runs through the north of East Birmingham. A wide range of transport proposals are being discussed from large infrastructure projects to smaller schemes that link transport systems and make travel easier. By improving local transport, we hope to unlock even more potential for the whole area.
Local centres and green spaces
East Birmingham is a network of urban villages with 200 parks and green spaces. With the extensive Cole Valley stretching from Tyseley in the south-west to Shard End in the north-east, there are plenty of green spaces, tree lined streets and natural areas.
We are supporting community groups with extra funding to enhance these green spaces and to help them realise their potential. Our local centres are the hub of the communities they serve. We are supporting local businesses and the community to help them meet challenges and thrive.
Health and wellbeing
East Birmingham communities have poorer health than other areas of the city. A resident in Heartlands ward is on average expected to live 12 years less than a resident in the Four Oaks ward in the north of the city.
We want to work with partners and help change this, seeking out the opportunities the area has to offer by working closely with colleagues across the medical sector and looking at innovative solutions to tackle longstanding issues. An example of this is GPs using social prescribing to treat some health conditions with non-medicine prescriptions such as access to activities or gym membership.
To find out more read the East Birmingham Programme Strategy or contact the East Birmingham Programme Team.
Page last updated: 27 October 2023
