Plans to expand the Midland Metro tram system across Birmingham and the Black Country could be given a timely boost by a powerful group of MPs.
The Transport Select Committee, chaired by veteran MP Gwyneth Dunwoody, announced it would conduct an inquiry into the future of light rail and modern trams. It said that despite the apparent success of recent systems, support for light rail expansion in Britain seems to be decreasing.
The Department for Transport recently approved new tram lines for the West Midlands and Merseyside, but refused to fund fully extensions to the Manchester Metrolink it said.
Last night Centro, the promoter of light rail development in the West Midlands, welcomed the Select Committee’s intervention.
“This inquiry, like the National Audit Office report last year, will highlight some very important truths that need to be aired if we are to get on and deliver an integrated transport system with the same speed and efficiency of other European countries,” commented Centro director general Rob Donald.
“We need a framework that considers the options, gives value for money and leads to a good deal for passengers – but then at the end of the day allows us to build tram lines cheaper and quicker,” he added.
Centro was given the green light last month to press on with a £139m extension to the Midland Metro. It has been working with the Department of Transport on a new funding mechanism aimed at avoiding the cost over-runs seen in Manchester and elsewhere – and claims to have reacted ahead of the National Audit Office report by aiming to reduce risk to contractors. Centro has also looked at utility costs and planned routes to link up high volume passenger generators.
“We certainly have nothing to fear from such a high level investigation into the future of modern trams,” says West Midlands councillor Gary Clarke, chairman of the Passenger Transport Authority which sets policy for Centro. “We will be presenting evidence to the inquiry and look forward to an outcome which will clear up some of the uncertainty hanging over light rail development. It could even lead to Britain adopting some of the cheaper and faster construction methods used on mainland Europe. That would be good news for passengers.”
