Birmingham City chairman Tom Wagner sent a clear message to Keir Starmer’s Government in an interview with ITV news
On Monday evening, Tom Wagner made national news when he urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Labour Government to support his ambition to construct a Sports Quarter in Birmingham.
Birmingham City’s owners, Knighthead, of which Wagner is a co-founder, purchased 60 acres of land in east Birmingham earlier this year with the idea of developing a cutting-edge stadium, training facilities for the club’s squads, and a variety of recreational venues.
Wagner believes that it will cost between £2 and £3 billion and produce thousands of new employment in Birmingham. Wagner originally addressed the Sports Quarter in April, emphasizing the significance of HS2.
He stated, “HS2 was a critical component.” We are getting the connection to Birmingham, which is critically critical. The northern leg would be an extra and significant benefit because it would plainly make this stadium the most centrally located and accessible venue in the entire UK. There are solid economic reasons to pursue that. It is not my tax money that is paying for it, and it is not my government’s decision, therefore it would be wrong for me to comment on whether it is worthwhile, but the benefit to this initiative would be enormous.
What did Wagner say?
“The most important factors are faster planning, the guarantee of moderately cost energy, and, ultimately, improved transportation. It’s tough to travel to our current stadium, St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park, so we’re considering doubling the capacity and having people live there, work there, or stay in a hotel when they visit Birmingham.
“There will be a lot of activity at the construction site, therefore much improved transportation infrastructure in the nearby neighborhood is required to make it work. (Without that), it is really impossible to accomplish, so we must prioritize making those things a reality.”
Our writers have their say…
Alex Dicken: Tom Wagner’s comments on ITV News did not surprise me in the least. When such large advancements occur, the burden for making them a reality should not be solely borne by a football club’s owners.
The Sports Quarter would provide thousands of employment for Birmingham residents, and both the local council and the government should support it. Better transportation links are required to ensure its success.
Those of us who visit St Andrews can realize how bad the transportation links are. That is why the majority of us drive, and the roads are dangerous as a result.
The expansion of HS2 will assist, especially if it extends to the north, but improved local metro services are also essential. Fans must be able to travel from the city center to the Sports Quarter in minutes and without fuss.
It is the government’s role, both locally and nationally, to assist this. The powers that be in Westminster should do everything they can to improve Birmingham.
Brian Dick: Wagner’s statements were seized upon by fans of other clubs, including the Blues’ nearest neighbours, to allege a loss of determination, or even a retreat from his earlier stance. Bullishness always invites schadenfreude, pride before a fall, and there is no shortage of individuals willing to assist with the fall.
However, there is another interpretation: Wagner’s statements are a ploy to put pressure on local and national governments, which may be tempted to sit on their hands and assume the Blues’ forward-thinking owner will sort out a problem in their city for them.
Wagner’s strategy of making public pronouncements is not new. We only need to recall how he used the club website to send an open letter to then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as the previous administration backed down on plans to connect HS2 with the north of England.
Supporters should consider which is more likely. Has Wagner gotten cold feet after 18 months of investing millions of pounds in the club and the area, including purchasing the site and revealing his plans?
Or has he delivered a message to the powerbrokers that they cannot expect Knighthead to solve all of their issues and revitalize not only a football club but an entire district of Birmingham without their involvement?
What we’ve seen of Wagner thus far shows that he doesn’t get cold feet and isn’t afraid to apply political pressure.
Read more news on:https://sportupdates.co.uk/
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