Nigel Waldron, president of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce, says a strong transport strategy is one of the key ingredients required to drive a local economy, adding that the business community in Sutton Coldfield will be looking on with great interest, following the announcement of a £1 billion investment in the West Midlands rail network.

“This substantial investment, which will see the newly formed West Midlands Trains Ltd franchise take over the operation of local train services, has been a long time coming — and Sutton Coldfield should benefit greatly.

“The town sits at the heart of the troubled Cross City line, with stations at Wylde Green, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield town centre, Butlers Lane and Blake Street.

As highlighted on many occasions, commuters travelling to and from the Sutton Coldfield area have felt the full force of problems on this line, with frequent delays, cancellations and severe overcrowding.

“The Cross City line is our only direct link to Birmingham New Street, which in turn connects us to the rest of the country, so plans to introduce more-frequent services and 100 new carriages on this line should provide a much-needed shot in the arm (www.suttoncoldfield-chamber.com).

“Moreover, the need for a reliable rail service is made greater by the poor road infrastructure across the region, which hasn’t been helped by the closure of the A38 Aston Expressway over the summer.

“To unlock Sutton Coldfield’s true potential as a vibrant place for business, we must have strong connections not just with the West Midlands but also with the rest of the country.

“Any strategy that makes our town a more accessible place should be applauded.”