THE battle to give Birmingham the railway station it deserves and needs has yet to be won, but today there is cause for cautious optimism.
Tony Blair has told this newspaper that he is "deeply sympathetic" to revamping New Street Station.
He acknowledged that Birmingham is a first class European city that needs first class facilities.
But do not crack open the bubbly just yet: the Prime Minister warned that it has yet to be decided how much the government will contribute and how much will have to come from other sources.
We applaud Mr Blair for supporting the station's rebuilding. But he should be in no doubt that we expect the government to deliver.
New Street is a disgrace. It is gloomy, ugly, over-crowded and - to use a phrase coined by one of Mr Blair's colleagues - not fit for purpose.
Be warned: we are still on the case.
Penny-pinchers in Whitehall must not be allowed to scupper a scheme that is so urgently needed.