New Cross boss: Tram extension from Wolverhampton city centre to hospital unnecessary

Ambitious plans to take the Midland Metro line to Wednesfield are back on the table after 10 years on the shelf.

But chief executive at New Cross Hospital David Loughton said existing public transport services were more than adequate.

Proposals for the line – previously dubbed the Five Ws because it would have eventually connected Wolverhampton, Wednesfield, Willenhall, Walsall, and Wednesbury – were first put forward when the Metro opened in 1999 but suffered various setbacks over funding.

They have now been included in Wolverhampton City Council's city centre action plan for 2015 to 2026.

However the proposals were last week heavily criticised by Express & Star readers.

And now Mr Loughton has poured further cold water on the plans.

He said: "We've looked at this before many years ago.

"I'd be surprised if it was affordable now and I'd be surprised if it was even needed.

"The existing bus network services Wednesfield very well and I use it myself.

"People are yelling out for this tram extension to happen."

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.

More readers have reacted negatively to the plans, posting on the Express & Star's Facebook page.

Sarah Smith from Willenhall said: "It seems pointless, the buses are frequent and cheaper."

Aimee Laura from Wolverhampton added: "There's already buses going straight to the hospital. Why do we need trams to go there too?"

And Neil Hartland said: "Far better idea would be to extend it to Dudley and Merry Hill.

"There's still a lot of disused railway lines in that area which could be utilised thus minimising road disruption during construction.

"New Cross simply doesn't make any sense as it already has an adequate bus service."

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 £90million.

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.