Further frustrations have been expressed over a new driverless train which will carry thousands of people but will not be stopping inside Birmingham Airport.

The trains, called automated people movers (AMP) by HS2, will transport passengers between the new HS2 Interchange Station, Birmingham Airport, the National Exhibition Centre and Birmingham International Railway Station.

It is planned to carry more than 2,000 passengers per hour each way with services every three minutes in a journey expected to last just six minutes end-to-end.

But as the Local Democracy Reporting Service previously reported, members of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's HS2 implementation advisory group voiced concerns the APM will not stop inside the airport despite a current monorail, doing just that. 

The current monorail links Birmingham International Rail Station and the airport and is planned to be scrapped for the APM.

Introducing the item chairman of the committee, Cllr Andrew Burrow said the "principal concern" was about people with disabilities and how it would work for them. 

Nikki Bains, Birmingham Airport's head of planning, transport and strategy, explained permission had previously been granted by Solihull Council's planning committee for the general APM.

"It was granted consent on the basis HS2 accept a planning condition which states HS2 have to work with the airport to see how a link (from the stop to the terminal) can be incorporated – like a covered walkway," she added.

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"We are now exploring those opportunities with HS2." 

Cllr Alison Rolph said: "It's all a bit vague – I'm sorry, don't wish to be rude but we were really concerned when we realised this."

Cllr Hazel Dawkins said: "I share the concerns – passengers with disabilities such as myself, having to go round out of the building into a covered walkway will take more time.

"We should be looking at how we limit that experience."

Cllr Richard Holt said: "The airport has a great deal to gain by having access to HS2 and HS2 has a lot to lose in terms of public relations if this isn't done properly. 

"Surely you want the thing (the stop) in the airport.

"You would want to be pushing your suitcase in the warm having just got off your plane or visa-versa.

"I'm quite surprised at the failure between the two organisations to get this better organised."  

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The airport chief said she would take the feedback back to discussions with HS2, and would be prepared to give an update to the committee at a later date.

"The stop itself is unlikely to be completely connected with the terminal – it is going to cause a lot of operational disruption if we do that," Ms Bains added.

"HS2 might say 'yes we can do whatever you want us to do but this is going to be the cost'.

"All these things have cost implications we have to seriously consider." 

Cllr Michael Carthew said: "We really need the long term thinking – if it costs more to get it into the terminal somehow can we please invest that because it is so worth it."

Cllr Holt added: "The public will see the monorail – that's going and being replaced with something inferior that won't be connected."