A look through back copies of the Birmingham Post will show that thousands of column inches have been filled debating and discussing the city's transport network.
More recently there have been the fanciful proposals like monorails and cable cars to more solid attempts to get the city moving like the Camp Hill and Sutton Park rail lines.
All shelved or mothballed.
Developments have come through slowly, including the long awaited New Street rebuild. But more piecemeal have been a modest Metro extension, minor bus infrastructure improvements, and occasionally a cycle lane is created.
Meanwhile the motorist faces increasing delays as every major road route into the city centre, and many suburban routes, are routinely choked in traffic.
And to cap it all the privately owned Birmingham bypass, the M6 Toll, is lightly used, mostly due to the high charges.
There is no doubt that Birmingham’s transport system is a mess and has not only short of investment, but also a proper strategy.
So, Sir Albert Bore’s plans to draw up a ten year blueprint for transport are to be welcomed.
He says this is a tried and tested method of delivering efficient transport which has been a proven success, especially on the continent. He is right that such an over arching vision has been missing. Not only will a coherent transport system that works help the citizen, it will underpin economic growth.
An oft-quoted figure, but no less relevant for that, is the estimation from business leaders that congestion costs firms in the region around £2 billion a year in lost revenue and time.
There will now follow a period of debate and discussion about just what should be in that plan, and no doubt some will be pushing their pet projects or grinding their axes over existing schemes.
A key plank must be cycling. With Birmingham currently bidding for government cash to transform facilities, pedal power offers the multiple wins of improving health, getting people out of cars and cutting congestion.
The success of this urban mobility plan will depend very much on what is included and that it is seen as desirable. Even then the real work will begin on securing the investment to deliver it.
Birmingham is currently going through something of a renaissance with the transformation of Eastside, New Street’s long delayed rebirth and the regeneration of Longbridge. For the first time in recent memory some momentum is building up. We must not let it slip away.
