Plans to expand the Midland Metro tram network across Birmingham and the Black Country have cleared another important hurdle.
The proposals by transport body Centro-PTA for new lines through Birmingham city centre and from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill via Dudley have been given the green light by an independent panel of experts. Their findings will now be sent to the Government department considering the business case for the £430m scheme.
“This was a detailed and independent investigation into the state of our plans, with some very searching questions. The fact that we passed with flying colours sends a clear message to the Secretary of State that we have a robust and deliverable project for improving public transport in the West Midlands,” says Centro-PTA chairman Cllr Gary Clarke.
The independent ‘Gateway review’ process is an important part of the Government’s reaction to a critical report into the future of light rail projects by the all-party Public Accounts Committee last year. In the wake of plans for tram networks in Liverpool, Portsmouth and Leeds being refused Government funding, the all-party committee of MPs commented that the Department for Transport had not acted soon enough when problems started to appear and costs started to escalate.
Reacting to the criticism, Transport Minister responsible for light rail Derek Twigg said: “By the time a project is signed off, we need to have full confidence in its viability and cost-effectiveness.”
He said ambitious projects such as the Midland Metro expansion are now required to undergo rigorous health checks at critical stages of project development to make sure they are in a fit state to move forward.
“It's all about improving project management, improving confidence in the process, and improving value for the taxpayer,” the Minister said.
The review of Centro-PTA plans for the Midland Metro was carried out by an independent panel of experts including senior figures from project management, civil engineering and audit backgrounds who have been involved in similar schemes both in the UK and major international contracts. It was carried out the Government-supported review body ‘4ps’.
They questioned members of the Centro-PTA team as well as project consultants and partners from Birmingham, Dudley and Sandwell councils. Their report concluded that Centro-PTA had a strong approach to managing and dealing with the risks of such an ambitious and complex project and said the organisation should be congratulated for securing substantial external support and financial contribution.
The full summary will be reported to members of Centro-PTA at the authority’s meeting next week (Monday 31 July).
“This is a highly successful outcome. The review could have given Metro expansion a red, amber or green light – and green means they are telling the Government we are on target to succeed,” says Cllr Roger Horton, Centro-PTA vice chair and lead member for Midland Metro.
“The expanded Midland Metro network will provide an excellent level of service for passengers. Frequent high-capacity trams will provide a real boost to the accessibility of Birmingham city centre and the Black Country - with excellent links between shops, homes, offices, rail stations and major new developments,” he adds.
As well as improving the environment in Birmingham city centre, the Midland Metro extensions will provide high-quality public transport through both residential and commercial areas of the Black Country along a route from Wednesbury to Dudley and Brierley Hill. It will give direct access for people to Wolverhampton, Birmingham and West Bromwich centres, as well as supporting the regeneration of significant areas along the route and development of Merry Hill and Brierley Hill.
Extensions to the Midland Metro were given planning approval by the Secretary of State last year following two public inquiries. Agreements have since been reached with developers and local authorities allowing an Outline Business Case – effectively a funding bid – to be submitted to Government.
Links:
Derek Twigg speech on future of light rail and gateway reviews
What is a Gateway review?
