£2.2 billion vision to regenerate one of the region's most deprived areas

Midlands Message Read in browser Subscribe to Midlands Message Midlands Message is edited by Richard Guttridge Get in touch at richard.guttridge@reachplc.com £2.2 billion vision to regenerate one of the region's most deprived areas Council leaders in Birmingham have agreed to progress plans. A huge

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Subscribe to Midlands Message Midlands Message is edited by Richard Guttridge Get in touch at richard.guttridge@reachplc.com   £2.2 billion vision to regenerate one of the region's most deprived areas Council leaders in Birmingham have agreed to progress plans.

A huge, £2.2 billion regeneration of one of Birmingham's most deprived areas is to finally get started. The ambitious vision for Ladywood Estate will see the creation of 7,000 new homes, a new school, public parks, business premises and community facilities, Politics and People Editor Jane Haynes reports. The seven existing tower blocks will be refurbished and new apartments created, while some surrounding homes will be demolished. St Joseph, a subsidiary of housing giant Berkeley Group plc, is to lead the scheme, described as the city's most significant project this century. The estate is notorious for being one of the poorest in Birmingham, and recently featured in a Channel 4 documentary with Ed Stafford but the development could signal excitement for its future. The first buildings are unlikely to go up until 2028 at the earliest - though in the meantime preparatory works will start, including compulsory purchase of any land not already owned by the council. Cllr John Cotton, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "The delivery of Ladywood Estate Regeneration Scheme is the city's most significant housing regeneration and redevelopment opportunity and key to the sustainable growth and development of the city. "The regeneration of Ladywood Estate will address both social and environmental issues and deliver significant benefits for the local community and wider Birmingham economy."

Mayor under fire over bus fares 'broken promise' West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has come under pressure after main bus operator National Express announced it would be increasing fares, breaking a "freeze pledge". Mr Street, who heads up Transport for West Midlands, accepted some people would be angry but insisted rises were necessary to protect services, reports Agenda Editor Richard Guttridge. There's added confusion after National Express said it was reviewing whether to contuine with the national £2 single fare cap imposed by the Government last year. With only a week to go before new fares come in, passengers still don't know what the cost of a single fare will be. Labour Mayoral candidate Richard Parker labelled it a "broken promise" and has pledged to bring buses into public ownership should he be elected.

What we're reading Jane Haynes tells the story of a pregnant nurse who was struck by a car while riding her bike, amid demands for road safety measures. Richard Guttridge reports how cancer patients unable to get treatment at their local hospital in Wolverhampton have refused to travel to London and Leeds because it's too far. Plans to regenerate Rolfe Street, one of the most significant areas of brownfield urban renewal in Europe, have been approved by councillors. Rhi Storer reports. Rhi also reveals how a Dudley Council cabinet member has quit in a row with leader Patrick Harley. Thomas Cramp reports on seven Birmingham restaurants which have been fined over £10,000 for hygiene failings. Thomas also reports how pub and club managers are on a "heightened state of alert" after a rise in stabbings in an area of Birmingham. The state of roads in Coventry have been labelled "uacceptable" by angry motorists. Ellie Brown reports. It comes as Ellie reports possible looming cuts in Coventry over budget woes. Plans have been lodged to build a 33-storey apartment tower in Birmingham. Midlands Business Editor Tamlyn Jones has the story. Gurdip Thandi reports on fly-tipping problems in Walsall which have left some residents living amongst rats.

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