Land grab looms on new Metro route

Transport bosses have begun work to seize land to extend the Midland Metro even though they are £253 million short of being able to start building it.

Centro, the public transport authority for the West Midlands, plans to use £12 million of taxpayers money to buy land and has announced it plans to use part of that to take a 24,111 sq ft storage yard and land in Park Lane East, Tipton.

It says the move is crucial if plans to create a new branch line for the Metro between Wednesbury and Merry Hill Shopping Centre are to become a reality.

The land is currently a builder's yard, and Centro wants it for a new Dudley Port Metro station, along with a park and ride.

Both developments would sit alongside the existing Dudley Port rail station.

Centro's spokeswoman, Babs Coombes, said talks to buy the land privately had failed to reach an agreement and Centro had resorted to compulsory powers.

Almost £2 million is to be invested on acquiring land for the 62-space car park. If the Metro extension does not go ahead the park and ride can be used by Dudley Port rail passengers.

A Transport and Works Act Order granted permission in 2005 for compulsory purchase orders to build the branch line is due to expire in 2010, but can be extended if work gets under way.

Centro fears it would lose their right to block any planning applications for buildings next to the Metro tracks if they allow it to collapse.

The project to create the branch line still needs to raise £253 million and no work on installing the tram lines can start until then.

Councillor Gary Clarke, chairman of Centro, said today: "The Metro is essential and we are getting on with it. We won't always be in this financial position, so it makes sense to get under way now."

The estimated £12 million cost of permanently acquiring land for compulsory purchase would be funded by £7 million from local councils and £5 million from Centro.