'Delayed delivery and broken promises' – Labour to consider move away from tram travel
The West Midlands could shift away from tram travel if Labour wins the next mayoral election.
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Richard Parker, Labour's candidate for West Midlands Mayor, has questioned whether the Metro offers value for money in the wake of a series of projects hitting delays and busting their budgets.
He said alternative modes of transport such as very light rail may be a "better fit" for parts of the region.
It came as Mr Parker called for an independent inquiry into schemes including the cash-strapped Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension, which has seen its budget surge by 45 per cent to £650m.
Other flagging schemes include the long-delayed 700-metre Wolverhampton city centre extension, which has still not opened, and Birmingham Eastside, which won't fully open until 2027.
Conservative Mayor Andy Street has overseen a mass expansion of the Metro network since he entered office in 2017.
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But Mr Parker told the Star that a pattern had emerged of "delayed delivery and broken promises", with too many projects hampered by financial issues.