'Our town desperately needs a Metro stop' - Councillors share deep concerns about tram extension tor Brierley Hill

The Wednesbury-to-Brierley Hill extension to the existing Midlands Metro has been talked about for two decades.

Trams are expected to be up and running in Dudley this year, with great swathes of work having taken place, and extending the line to The Waterfront and Merry Hill has also been promised - but a further business case report is required to seek funding to complete the route into Brierley Hill itself.

Extending the line to Brierley Hill is essential for boosting the town's fortunes, according to ward councillors who have issued an urgent appeal to the Mayor of the West Midlands to help make it happen.

Brierley Hill councillor Adam Davies said: “At scrutiny committee and Brierley Hill Town Board meetings over the six to 12 months, deep concerns have emerged around the risk of West Midlands Combined Authority backtracking on their commitment to the full Metro extension to Brierley Hill town centre under the new Mayor's leadership.

“Despite the Labour Mayor not officially announcing he is cancelling the final leg of the Metro extension, it seems that a void in leadership is effectively risking that happening by default – with WMCA officers unable to answer key questions we have put to them about delivery of Metro beyond Merry Hill.

“We're therefore calling on Richard Parker to step up and demonstrate the leadership required to make sure the right resources, both people and funding, are allocated to completion of the extension in full as a priority.”

Fellow ward councillor Wayne Little added: “The metro has always been about supporting wider economic regeneration and increased opportunities for local businesses and people, so it needs to be delivered in full as promised.

“We will continue to push for the funding commitments made to regenerate Brierley Hill and our surrounding areas.”

Transport for West Midlands, which the Mayor is responsible for, has said it remains committed to helping to try to get funding for the project - but Dudley Council must submit a business case for it.

A spokesperson for Transport for West Midlands said: “Main works started on the second phase of the Black Country Metro extension this year. This takes the Metro further into the Black Country - connecting Dudley town centre to Merry Hill shopping centre. This was after securing and receiving funds from the Government to start the works.  

“We remain committed to working with Dudley Council to build the business case and secure funding for the next phase of this Metro extension to Brierley Hill High Street as part of regeneration plans for the wider area." 

Dudley Council has said it is working with partners to prove the case for the Brierley Hill extension and initial work on the report seeking funding will be ready by the autumn.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said: “The Metro works, which continue at pace, play a key role in our regeneration vision for the borough and we know our residents and businesses continue to support this increased connectivity.

“We are working closely with Transport for West Midlands and our other partners to once again prove the business case for running the line into the heart of Brierley Hill, where we believe it will provide the most benefit.

“We expect to have the initial aspects of this report ready around the autumn of this year and we will continue to keep people updated with our progress.”