Vote on way over bigger Midland Metro route

Transport authority Centro wants to spend up to £30 million on the scheme, with a further £15m needed for roadworks to take the tram through Paradise Circus, past the historic Town Hall and up to Centenary Square, passing the £188.8m Library of Birmingham.

The extension is on top of a £128m project to extend the system which is already taking place.

And another project to extend the Metro in Wolverhampton is also being discussed, with Centro trying to get companies within the rail industry to back it as part of a £110m project to rebuild Wolverhampton rail station.

Centro has appointed law firm Shoosmiths to advise it on the development of new Metro routes.

Birmingham City Council's cabinet and a meeting of councillors on Centro will both vote on the Centenary Square project on October 21. Money is coming from business rates collected in the centre of Birmingham as part of the scheme to turn it into an enterprise zone, the government and Centro.

Centro spokesman Steve Swingler said: "If approved, we would start work in 2015, essentially continuing the work now underway on the city centre Metro extension from Snow Hill Station to New Street Station, which is due for completion in 2015."

He said 'good progress' was also being made on the Wolverhampton project, which would see the Metro extended from its current St George's terminus in Bilston street, along Pipers Row, past the bus station and down Railway Drive to the rail station.

Mr Swingler added: "The extension is part of the £110 million redevelopment project for the area, which includes refurbishing the rail station, with new office and retail development. The

Black Country local transport body has already agreed a £9 million contribution and there is also funding from the developer."

David Jackson from Shoosmiths said: "This is a hugely important scheme for the West Midlands – creating jobs and boosting the economy."