First glimpse at £5m light rail network

These pictures are the first glimpse of how a multi-million pound light rail network between Brierley Hill and Stourbridge could look under new plans.

They were released today as bosses revealed work could start within the next two years, creating dozens of new jobs.

Three new metro-style stations would be built as part of the £5 million project to run passenger railcars on a four-mile section of an existing freight line. Passengers would be able to catch the railcars from The Waterfront, in Brierley Hill.

Railcars would then stop at a newly reopened Brierley Hill town railway station, off Station Road, which has been shut for more than 60 years.

A new stop would be built near Corbett Hospital, in Amblecote, before railcars travel onto Stourbridge Junction to connect up with main line services to London, Worcester and Birmingham.

Cradley Heath based-firm Parry People Movers has attracted £1m in principle from the Government's Regional Growth Fund to kick-start the project.

The firm already runs the branch line between Stourbridge Town and Junction stations.

The cash allows the firm to begin research and development into the plans to evaluate the existing infrastructure like the tracks and help develop new vehicles for the line.

Further funding will involve a leasing company putting up around £2.5m for the cost of the buying three new trains.

Executive chairman John Parry today said it was great news for the company and the Black Country.

New jobs including drivers, cleaners and maintenance workers will be needed if the proposals become a reality.

"This is the biggest news for the company for a long time and we are delighted to be working on this project," he said.

"The Government do not want to hang around."