Support This New Metro Bid!

I have always personally supported the building of a Light Rail Transit scheme here in the West Midlands. Indeed I spent the best part of my political life arguing the case for Metro.

So I welcome the plans to extend the Metro both in Birmingham and in Wolverhampton.

Make no mistake as we continue to move forward, having a tram system extended to the real heart of our two Cities will bring big benefits.

My sadness is that it is taking such a long time to convince and then construct these important public transport schemes.

The latest information is that the Leaders of the Seven Councils have agreed to back a £25m bid to Government for part of the cost to the Government extending the existing tram route from its Snow Hill terminus to New Street Station.
The councils are also asking the Government for £35 million to help build a single track circular tram route around Wolverhampton city centre.This development will give much better penetration to Wolverhampton City Centre as well as connecting better with the bus station rail station Theatre and the Courts.

All of which should boost patronage and give business and retail a fillip here in our thousand year old City.

Sadly the planned Black Country metro extension from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill and Stourbridge, taking in the Merry Hill shopping centre, along with the extensions to Wednesfield ,Willenhall and Walsall has been dropped for the time being.

The decision finally puts paid to a £300 million-plus vision for the Snow Hill to Five Ways extension and the Black Country routes.

The cost of the Snow Hill to New Street extension is estimated at £60 million, leaving a £35 million shortfall even if the Government grant is approved.

Commentators suggest that the gap can be bridged by contributions from businesses in Birmingham and by the Birmingham city council.But that will have to be seen.

Work on the Snow Hill-New Street route could begin in four years, if all of the funding can be secured.

Centro are estimating that the increases in tram service will take an estimated 420,000 car journeys off the road each year.

The route through Birmingham will take trams along Corporation Street and Stephenson Street in the city centre.

So my message is a short one! Support this new bid for funding. It is the best opportunity we will have to create a fast and efficient Light Rail Transit system that will contribute heavily to future regeneration, as well as improving the public transport network for both Birmingham and Wolverhampton.