New Cross Metro stop being considered

The proposal was first mooted 35 years ago - and still on the table having been included on a transport plan for the West Midlands for the next 10 years.

Wolverhampton council is working up the scheme in a bid to have it ready for funding when money is made available.

The line would be an extension from the train station where a project is taking place to extend the current Metro line from the city's bus station, completion is expected next year.

Wolverhampton council leader Roger Lawrence said: "We believe there is a strong case for Metro extension to Wednesfield.

"New Cross Hospital is only going to get busier, so there is more and more pressure in getting in and out of that area. Then there is the possibility of extending it further to Walsall.

He added: "Our work is continuing on the scheme so it would be ready to go, or otherwise, the money for it will go elsewhere."

"It isn't going to happen tomorrow. It will be in a queue of projects, but we can work on it and move it higher up that queue."

Proposals for the line - previously dubbed the Five Ws because it would have eventually connected Wolverhampton, Wednesfield, Willenhall, Walsall, and Wednesbury - have so far never materialised.

But it remains on a transport delivery programme for the next 10 years. The project, written by the West Midlands Combined Authority, is currently out for consultation.

Talks so far including have four stops from the railway station - Bentley Bridge, Wednesfield, Heath Town and New Cross.

No route has yet been planned.

Mark Langford, spokesman for authority, said: "The extension has emerged from discussions with City of Wolverhampton Council over the continued drive to regenerate the region and enhance growth through investment in improved transport infrastructure."

He added: "This has been identified as a potential further extension of the Metro network that would be progressed as a follow on from the current £1.3bn investment programme."

Councillor Daniel Warren, who represents the city council at the West Midlands Combined Authority transport meetings, welcomed the move.

He said: "We have come under criticism for the Metro extension in Wolverhampton, the 800 metres of it.

"But one of the reasons of it was to link the Metro to the railway station, and also in the longer-term to extend the Metro further across the city.

"It is a vision which is not yet funded. But what we are showing is initiative to say 'these are the routes we want, this is where we want to go next'."

The plan for the Metro extension to New Cross has long been backed by fellow Wednesfield Councillor Phil Bateman.

He said: "We desperately need a Metro line from the city centre to Wednesfield and New Cross to ease the congestion along the road corridor."

He added: "You need 2,000 passengers an hour for a Metro scheme to be worthwhile.

"We have a growing site for businesses in Wednesfield, a large shopping centre at Bentley Bridge and a big hospital.

"There is real potential - and I want this to happen."