A crucial agreement detailing the private sector’s largest funding contribution towards the Midland Metro extension has been signed.
Westfield, which owns the Merry Hill development and has significant interests across the Brierley Hill estate, has completed its agreement with Centro-PTA by pledging its support for the new tram lines through the Black Country with a £36.5m contribution towards the £268m project – the largest single private sector contribution to any UK light rail scheme.
Today’s agreement is one of the last to be completed for the 11km route, which will travel from the existing line at Wednesbury, through Dudley town centre and the Merry Hill Centre, to Brierley Hill.
“We are keen for the Metro extension to be built at the earliest opportunity, and are pleased to offer our support to the project,” comments Westfield’s development director Peter Miller.
The extension has already been given the green light by the Government, and regional transport body Centro-PTA has submitted what it describes as a confident and robust business case for financial approval by Ministers.
Centro-PTA councillors welcomed the Westfield deal as an important step towards providing the area with a modern, integrated transport system.
“This vital agreement means the Midland Metro extension is another step closer to becoming a reality,” says Cllr Gary Clarke, Chairman of Centro-PTA.
“The expanded 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. It will make a real impact on our campaign to cut congestion for everyone,” he adds.
Centro-PTA has already signed agreements with both Sandwell and Dudley Metropolitan Borough Councils, detailing their respective roles in funding, construction, operation and maintenance of the route.
“The Midland Metro extension is a very exciting prospect for local people,” says Cllr David Caunt, Leader of Dudley Council.
“Today’s announcement shows how important the Metro is to business and the local economy. It’s also great for the people of Dudley and the Black Country who will gain from the regeneration, jobs and other benefits it will bring.”
The Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension will have 17 easy access stops, four of which will include park and ride facilities, and will include new, larger trams which will be able to complete the journey in just 23 minutes.
Supporters of modern trams stress the environmental benefits of networks such as the Midland Metro which are becoming more common across Europe’s major cities. They are extremely effective at reducing congestion by attracting people on to public transport, while the vehicles themselves are quiet and produce much lower levels of emissions than other forms of transport.
Centro-PTA’s ‘green’ plans have received backing from the Minister of State for Environment and Climate Change and Dudley South MP Ian Pearson. “This is exactly the kind of major strategic investment that will help the revitalisation of the Black Country,” he says.
“The economic and environmental benefits of the Metro extension will be huge and I am delighted that a major company like Westfield has the confidence to invest in the future of the area in partnership with the public sector.”
Three-quarters of the cost would come from Government and current studies show that it will get a minimum double return on investment. The rest of the money will come from local contributions, such as that given by Westfield.
Midland Metro line one, between Wolverhampton and Birmingham via West Bromwich, caters for over five million passengers a year and has become the region’s most reliable form of public transport. The expansion plans also include a new line through the streets of central Birmingham to serve the redeveloped New Street Station, the main shopping centre, Broad Street, the ICC and Five Ways.
Link: about Westfield
