The leader of Dudley council will get an early taste of what is to come for the borough this Friday as he gets in the driving seat of a Midland Metro tram.

Cllr David Caunt is meeting the Chairman of the PTA, Cllr Gary Clarke and lead member for Metro, Cllr Roger Horton at the Metro Depot on Potters Lane in Wednesbury. After a short introduction, he will drive a tram within the sidings.

The event comes just over a month after Dudley Borough Council and public transport promoter Centro signed an agreement to extend the Midland Metro route through the town centre and surrounding area.

The contract outlines the two parties respective roles in the funding, construction, operation and maintenance of the 11km route from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill, via Dudley town centre and the Merry Hill Centre.

Cllr Roger Horton comments: “Cllr Caunt’s interest in driving a tram shows his enthusiasm for the Metro extension through the Dudley borough. The project is very important for transport and regeneration in the Black Country and having the ongoing support of Dudley Council is a great benefit for the scheme.”

The tramlines will include13 easy-access stops, four of which are served by park and ride facilities. New larger trams will be introduced on the line and will be able to complete the journey from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill in only 23 minutes.

Recent research has already shown that the existing Metro is the most efficient of the Midland’s public transport options, with a reliability rate of over 98 per cent. The service caters for five million passengers

  “The Metro extension is a very exciting prospect for local people,” says Cllr David Caunt. “The extended line will not only make travelling around the area much easier and more convenient for everyone, providing an attractive alternative to the car, but it will also bring regeneration, jobs and other socio-economic benefits to this part of the Black Country.”