Councillors are expected to agree a deal that would guarantee the immediate future of local rail services in the West Midlands.

They will vote at a special meeting on Monday (6 March) to give public transport coordinating body Centro the authority to sign a franchise deal with rail company Central Trains to run until November 2007.  The package includes continued Government funding for a turn-up-and-go service on Birmingham’s busiest commuter route and retention of the Black Country rail link between Walsall and Wolverhampton.

"Ever since the Transport Secretary Alistair Darling announced a shake up of rail franchises, we have been lobbying hard to make sure services in the West Midlands are protected – so we welcome this confirmation from the Department for Transport,” says PTA chairman Cllr Gary Clarke.

Centro-PTA councillors said it would be inappropriate for the Government to be reducing public transport options at the same time that it is hoping to tackle congestion by persuading more motorists out of their cars.

"We believe in integrated transport and increased funding for public transport will be vital in the campaign to cut congestion,” adds Cllr Clarke.

There had been fears that the Department for Transport would cut back on the grants it gives Centro to support local rail services.  Last year a Government study recommended the Black Country rail link should be scrapped and the DfT had also asked to be given costings for a reduced frequency on the Birmingham Cross City Line.

The West Midlands has now been spared these cuts – at least for the next eighteen months.  A new set of rail franchises will come into force after November 2007, one of which will be a new West Midlands franchise providing local rail services and links to London.

“The new West Midlands rail franchise is a great opportunity – but clearly we need to keep up the pressure to make sure Government provides the necessary funding to deliver a new focus on West Midlands rail needs, including more capacity to accommodate continued growth in patronage,” adds Cllr Clarke.

The West Midlands has experienced significant rail growth in recent years – faster than the national average.  One in five commuters into Birmingham use the train and the on-going developments in the city centre will continue to drive up rail usage.