'Delayed delivery and broken promises' – Labour to consider move away from tram travel
The West Midlands could shift away from tram travel if Labour wins the next mayoral election.
Richard Parker, Labour's candidate for West Midlands Mayor, has questioned whether the Metro offers value for money in the wake of a series of projects hitting delays and busting their budgets.
He said alternative modes of transport such as very light rail may be a "better fit" for parts of the region.
It came as Mr Parker called for an independent inquiry into schemes including the cash-strapped Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension, which has seen its budget surge by 45 per cent to £650m.
Other flagging schemes include the long-delayed 700-metre Wolverhampton city centre extension, which has still not opened, and Birmingham Eastside, which won't fully open until 2027.
Conservative Mayor Andy Street has overseen a mass expansion of the Metro network since he entered office in 2017.
But Mr Parker told the Star that a pattern had emerged of "delayed delivery and broken promises", with too many projects hampered by financial issues.
