Dudley taxpayers to stump up part of £30 million shortfall for one Metro stop
Dudley taxpayers will be asked to fork out part of a £30 million shortfall to fund one leg of a troubled Metro extension.
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Transport chiefs in the region are scrambling to raise the cash to complete the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill line, which has shot up in cost by 45 per cent to £645m.
Their plans to meet a £180.6m funding gap have been revealed in a private report presented to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) board.
It says that Dudley Council will contribute towards a capital cost of £30m for Phase 2b – the one stop between Waterfront and Merry Hill.
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The council's leader, Councillor Patrick Harley, said it was "only fair" that Dudley contributed towards the line, which he insisted still represents value for money despite cost hikes.