The Midlands Engine Strategy

After some delay, the Midlands Engine Strategy was released on 9 March 2017. The strategy was launched in the region by the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, who was probably relieved to talk about something other than National Insurance contributions following his controversial Budget on Wednesday.

Let’s start with the good bits: it’s obviously great news that the strategy is finally here and that the Midlands is taking centre stage for once; even if the ‘Midlands Engine’ still sounds grindingly dull in comparison to the explosive ‘Northern Powerhouse’. There are some exciting specific opportunities referenced which play nicely into our growing skill sets in technology, such as the opportunity to host 5G testbeds in the region, which, if considered carefully, could also provide exciting opportunities for townscape enhancements. The clear measures identified to deal with the skills shortage across the region also undoubtedly have the capacity to be enormously beneficial.

There is also a well-defined directive for sensible, if not particularly inspirational, ideas about integrating the transport network more effectively, including smart tickets and increased services into central Birmingham, delivered through Midlands Connect, a sub national transport body. Anyone that regularly uses the transport network in the region will certainly welcome these proposals.

But is it enough? I was pleased to see reference to the innovative Black Country Garden City project, which proposes to deliver housing across multiple brownfield sites within reach of existing infrastructure and facilities; however the £12m allocated to it seems tokenistic at best, given the glaringly obvious physical constraints of delivering such a project in an area that is synonymous with land contamination and the relics of its industrial past. Let’s hope this is just the first pot of many for a project that has transformational potential for the area in placemaking terms, not to mention providing a sustainable and logical location for the delivery of a significant volume of the area’s housing needs.

Our work on Bicester’s Garden Town masterplan has shown that with strong leadership from local authority partners and a commitment to shared objectives that put people at the heart of decision making, significant levels of housing can be delivered in a manner that enhances viability of centres, promotes sustainable movement patterns and ultimately enhances the quality of life of residents. We would like to see more support for the delivery of projects like this across the Midlands.

We would also have liked to have seen more reference to a strategic and integrated approach to cycle infrastructure within these proposals. Beyond just easing congestion, increasing numbers of cyclists results in improved air quality, lower obesity, improved wellbeing: all measures that have a direct impact on the health and happiness of the people living in the region. As masterplanners, we work to find ways to encourage walking and cycling within all of our proposals, but the reality is that interconnectivity needs to be considered at the strategic scale in order to have most meaningful impact.

I am a naturally optimistic person, but I must admit I have a couple of nagging concerns. Firstly, on the local economy, reference is rightfully made to the importance of some of the region’s manufacturers such as JLR, JCB and Rolls Royce: all of whom are major exporters. The Midlands is reported to account for 19.1% of all English goods exports. This is clearly a significant risk to the region, considering the unknown export environment following Brexit.

Secondly, I am concerned about leadership and delivery. Ultimately, such a lot of the realisation of these proposals will fall to the elected Mayor. Recent election results have clearly demonstrated that who this will be, and what their key drivers might include, is anyone’s guess. Much like the eponymous ‘Engine’, this strategy provides the internal workings of a potentially well-oiled machine; but what the engine ultimately ends up powering remains to be seen.

From our perspective as a growing business based in the region, we nonetheless remain optimistic in our outlook. Interest in sites within the area has certainly never been stronger, with large employers and investors alike. As a region, we have a proud history of innovation and reinvention and we believe that with strong leadership and a long term approach, the constraints that have held the Midlands back in recent decades can be cast aside, leaving an enhanced physical and economic environment and a better skilled, healthier and happier population.