A report to MPs highlighting the shortcomings of developing tram systems in England has been welcomed by transport authorities in the major conurbations.

Public transport promoter Centro, which is proposing six new lines for its Metro system in the West Midlands, says the National Audit Office report on problems with progress so far contains no real surprises.  It welcomes the forward-looking aspects of the report, which identifies the barriers to further light rail development and tells the Department for Transport how these could be removed.

The report to the House of Commons by Auditor General Sir John Bourn says the new generation of trams such as in Croydon, Manchester and the West Midlands have been welcomed by passengers and their modern look and attractive services have enhanced the image of the cities where they have been built.  However, since 1980 only seven systems have been built, systems are not attracting as many passengers or delivering as many benefits as they should, several are running at a financial loss and construction costs are rising.

“Light rail systems have improved the quality and choice of public transport, by offering fast, reliable and frequent services,” says Sir John.  “However if more systems are to secure private sector investment, construction costs must be brought down and operations placed on a sound financial footing.”

The Auditor General’s report has been welcomed by West Midlands public transport boss Rob Donald.

“The report gives MPs a very comprehensive analysis of the difficulties we face and the issues we agree need to be tackled if light rail is to be delivered faster, better and cheaper.  I hope the recommendations will help the Government sign up to our planned development in the West Midlands because the greatest benefits can only come from a comprehensive and integrated network,” comments the director general of Centro.

His remarks are supported by the audit report, which says the Department for Transport needs to take a more strategic approach to encourage developments in selected cities to fit in with the Government’s national transport objectives.

It envisaged that up to 25 new lines could be built by the end of the decade.  The current situation is that if all the proposals take off some ten English cities or conurbations could have modern trams by 2010.  By comparison, there are already 11 cities in France, and some 50 cities in Germany, with a light rail system.

Much of the revised approach suggested by the National Audit Office is already the subject of talks between Passenger Transport Executives promoting light rail and the Department for Transport, according to Rob Donald.  Issues such as separating contracts for building and operating systems are being discussed, while many of the planning issues that have held back earlier systems have been addressed in more recent expansion plans.

“The audit report suggests the Department for Transport should be more of a partner in promoting light rail, rather than just an adjudicator of the proposals that it is sent.  That is something we would very much welcome as a helpful step to providing integrated public transport in our major cities,” says Rob Donald.

Centro is awaiting the outcome of two recent public inquiries for £200m Midland Metro extensions through Birmingham city centre and from Wednesbury to Dudley and Brierley Hill in the Black Country.  The PTA and seven local authority leaders in the West Midlands have recently earmarked four further routes likely to cost more than £1bn and work on preparing business cases for these is now underway.

The first Midland Metro line between Wolverhampton and Birmingham ran into teething troubles which are well-documented in the National Audit Office report, but is now running at more than 98 per cent reliability, is much-loved by passengers, has added popular park and ride sites and is starting to approach patronage targets.  It currently attracts more than 5.1 million passengers a year against a target range of 6-8 million.

“As far as passengers are concerned, the tram is a success story,” comments Cllr Roger Horton, lead member for Metro on the policy-setting West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority.  “Now we need to get on and expand the network so many more people can benefit from better public transport.”

“This is a huge investment we are talking about.  The auditor’s report gives some very valuable pointers as to how this can be made more attractive for the private sector,” he adds.