Metro plan to take passengers from Wolverhampton to New Cross back on track

Plans for the new line have been a dream since the Metro was first opened in 1999 but suffered various setbacks over funding.

Now the three-extension is being put in a transport blueprint for Wolverhampton setting out what council bosses want to see between 2015 and 2026.

Proposals for the line - previously dubbed the Five Ws because it would have eventually connected Wolverhampton, Wednesfield, Willenhall, Walsall, and Wednesbury - have failed to ever get off the planning stage.

But the possible extension is included in Wolverhampton City Council's city centre action plan 2015-2026.

The proposal is going to be reviewed by the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority to see whether it is doable in light of scarce public funding for major projects.

The authority is made up of the leaders of Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley, Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull councils, who agree to back each other on bids to the government for funding, rather than competing.

Centro - which oversees public transport in the West Midlands - admitted there was currently no money earmarked for the project or any detailed plans.

An extension to the city's tram line from St George's to the bus station and railway station is already planned.

Wolverhampton City Council deputy leader Councillor Peter Bilson said: "There are a lot of discussions about connecting the region from east to west and that includes links across the Black Country as well as further afield to places like Nottingham and Derby.

"We have already secured a commitment for the Metro extension to the railway station and bus station.

"The further extension to Wednesfield and to Walsall is being reviewed. Personally I would like to see it go on to Wednesfield and Walsall as it would be a great asset to the community - especially for staff and patients needing to get to New Cross.

"This is part of our long-term vision but we have to see whether it is deemed a priority for the region and whether the funding is there and whether it is cost-effective."

The plug was pulled on the extension to Wednesfield 10 years ago after fierce opposition from residents but the route was still being looked at by bosses at Centro.

At the time it had a price tag of £90 million.

The city's public transport network has been transformed in recent years with a £22.5million bus station and work set to start on a new 520 space multi-storey car park, and 18 place taxi rank.

The plans pave the way for a £14 million revamp to the railway station in the New Year.

The tram line in Wolverhampton is in the middle of a £4.5 million upgrade but work has been hit by disruptions caused by abandoned mine workings found under the track.

West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) spokesman Steve Swingler said: "This particular Metro extension has been part of the region's long term public transport strategy for several years but has never been prioritised for funding. The proposal is, however, likely to be one of a number of schemes that will be reassessed next year when the ITA starts drawing up a refreshed long term transport blueprint."