One organisation to welcome the £139m Metro extension is RegenCo, the urban regeneration company for Sandwell.

Ros Kerslake, chief executive of RegenCo, said the extension would bring transport, regeneration and socio-economic benefits to the area.

"Transport is a major priority for any regeneration company and Sandwell is unusual because we've already got a mainline rail station stopping at Sandwell & Dudley, an award-winning bus station and we're at the heart of the UK motorway network.

"They all weave together to powerful effect - just think how the Metro extension will make the area even more accessible with 13 new stops between Brierley Hill and Wednesbury.