Combined Authority is just a waste of our money
With councils struggling for cash surely this is a time to cut out waste not set up yet another money gobbling monster called a super-council.
Whilst we had a mayoral vote and I feel the best candidate won, there should have been a referendum on whether to have a combined authority at all.
With the knowledge that the cost for the Black Country alone would be £50m for the first year I am certain the voters would have rejected it.
Another potential waste of money is the metro line from Walsall to Merry Hill. Surely it is better to encourage local shopping rather than provide a highly expensive tram system.
Any other effect of this line is only likely to be minimal. Hardly any of the stops would have the potential to attract passengers. Even Dudley Port would not live up to its expectations.
How can I say this? Well it is local knowledge and comparison with the existing metro when early surveys revealed a very low usage of several stops.
For example Dartmouth Street, which should never have been considered, also Lodge Road with its expensive infrastructure, including a lift and being only a short walk from West Bromwich Central.
Then there is the Hawthorns train station where apart from peak times and match days there are very few passengers despite regular train services.
Mr J Saunders
West Bromwich
