Transport network in the Black Country - ALL CHANGE!

The landscape of transport across the Black Country is changing.

Hundreds of millions pounds worth of schemes improving the way we move around the currently congested network has been set by regional transport bosses.

Members of the West Midlands Combined Authority approved the 2026 Deliver Plan for Transport, a document suitably named Movement for Growth.

It lists a range of 53 rail, metro, bus and cycling and walkway improvement across all areas of the regions.

Some are well-known with work already afoot on the schemes, such as the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Midland Metro scheme, as clearance starts for where the track will go.

But other schemes are new to the table.

A 20 mph speed limit in Dudley town centre, electrification of the Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury railway line and turning the A5 near Walsall into an 'expressway'.

One major scheme coming out from the plan is the SPRINT bus network, which will go from Birmingham, up the Hagley Road to Bearwood and potentially on to Dudley.

It has previously been dubbed 'Metro's Little Sister' which goes on the road but has the 'comfort and speed of light rail'.

It features 24-metre long buses which use bus lanes and prioritised traffic lights.

The announcement has been welcomed by political leaders.

Dudley South Conservative MP Mike Wood hailed the news. He said: "This shows the importance of the devolution project to the West Midlands, which means that strategic decisions can be taken that are right for our region rather than London.

"It is great news for people who travel across the region, whether it be by car, by bus, by train or bicycle.

"Not only will it be easier to get around, but the improvements will make it easier to attract jobs and businesses to the region. This is a huge boost for the West Midlands."

Wolverhampton council leader Councillor Roger Lawrence, lead member for transport for the WMCA, said: “Transport is key as we work to ensure the West Midlands punches its weight nationally and globally. HS2 will bring us closer to London and the UK’s other big city regions and make us a world-class place in which to do business.

“Now that this blueprint has been approved we can get to work in putting it into action.

“These are exciting schemes that will transform transport in our region and steer investment here to create new jobs and homes, building on the significant growth and development that is already happening through HS2.”

The final plan was compiled including feedback from a six week online public consultation.

Key amongst the responses was a demand for a bigger role for cycling alongside the proposed schemes.

Councillor Lawrence added: “I am particularly pleased at how the views of the public helped shape this final plan, that sort of input is key in helping us deliver what people need.”

A target date has already been set for the schemes.

By 2020, 20 projects will be competed, while 18 are scheduled to start at that time.

It is predicted that eight will still be outstanding.

While there is currently a lack of funding for all the schemes, the Transport for the West Midlands and the West Midlands Combined Authority will have to prioritise which projects they want to see first.