Dudley Council leader welcomes support for Midland Metro extension
Support for the £200 million Midland Metro extension link through the Black Country was today hailed by a council leader.
Dudley Council boss Patrick Harley said the growth of the Metro line would be a crucial boost for the region, bringing jobs and boosting transport links.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street met with Transport Secretary Chris Grayling at the Houses of Parliament earlier this week to secure the multi-million pound funding for the project.
It marks a major step forward for the scheme, which will see the tram stop at spots like Merry Hill and Dudley Zoo.
Council and business bosses in Dudley have been keen to extend the metro line into the borough for years, believing it has missed out.
It will be another major boost for the area following the launch of the DY5 Enterprise Zone, which is expected to bring thousands of jobs.
Councillor Harley said: "The Metro is vital to the Dudley economy. It will bring improved transport connectivity and crucially help to deliver major regeneration, housing and employment opportunities across the area including our DY5 Enterprise Zone.
“I am delighted the business case has now been submitted to Government.
"We will continue to support our colleagues at the Combined Authority and Transport for West Midlands to ensure that the economic argument is as compelling and persuasive as possible. I look forward to Government support for the project."
The extension from Wednesbury will see a seven-mile route run past the Castle Hill attractions, into the heart of Dudley town centre and then on to the Waterfront, Merry Hill and into Brierley Hill town centre.
The move will also link the borough to the Birmingham hub of HS2, paving the way for links to job opportunities and investment from the south.
Construction on the extension is set to start in 2019 with the line opening to passengers four years later. Trams will run up to every six minutes during busy periods.
