This is how Midland Metro could look once trams start running through Birmingham city centre streets and from Wednesbury to Dudley and Brierley Hill in the Black Country.

Councillors this week approved the purchase of a new fleet of around 40 modern trams to operate the expanded network.

The new higher-capacity trams would also operate on the existing Wolverhampton to Birmingham route from 2011.  By this date the existing rolling stock would be more than 12 years old and due for a major overhaul.

Bigger trams are already needed as the current vehicles running into Birmingham Snow Hill are struggling to cope with rush-hour demand.  Calculations show that replacing all the trams would save money when compared against waiting for the mid-life refurbishment of the existing vehicles.

Expansion of the network has now cleared two public inquiries and been given the green light by the Government.  The scheme’s promoter Centro expects to submit a final business case early next year.  Progress on the project, including the ‘excellent’ case for funding was presented this week to councillors on the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority, which sets policy for Centro.  It was given unanimous, all-party approval.