The economic and social benefits of extending the Midland Metro through the heart of the Black Country have been endorsed in a high level report by MPs.
The concept behind plans by regional transport authority Centro to reopen the disused Walsall to Stourbridge freight line, incorporating it into the Metro network, should become a cornerstone of Government rail policy according to the House of Commons Transport Select Committee.
In their "Priorities for Investment in the Railways" report, the influential group of MPs have called on the Government to take a more pro-active policy position that encourages schemes bringing old lines back into service. The Committee also said the Government should continue to encourage the expansion of the rail freight network.
At the same time, the methodology applied by Government to prioritise schemes needs to become more dynamic to integrate wider social, environmental and economic considerations, including the impact of transport investment on the GDP of regions like the West Midlands.
Centro Chief Executive Geoff Inskip said: "We're extremely pleased that the Select Committee has endorsed the approach we've been taking towards implementing the region's transport priorities and in particular the Black Country rapid transit spine.
"The committee's report calls for the reopening of disused rail lines, expanding the rail freight network and for schemes that aid economic regeneration and improve social inclusion.
"Our plans to reopen the Walsall to Stourbridge freight line and also run trams on it would do all these things, acting as an economic catalyst and a lifeline for the Black Country."
Centro's proposal involves using innovative European technology to run both freight trains and trams on the proposed Metro extension between Wednesbury, Merry Hill and Stourbridge.
This would remove the need to build a separate track for freight alongside the Metro rails, cutting overall construction costs by around 20 per cent.
Detailed studies are continuing into the track sharing concept and an Outline Business Case seeking Government funding for the extension is being prepared.
Launching the Select Committee's report, chairman, Louise Ellman (Lab: Liverpool Riverside) said: "It's paramount we do not deprive future generations of a lasting legacy of good transport services.
"Investments made now or in the near future should reflect long-term needs of the economy and society."
Independent research by the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) found that the proposed Metro extensions through Birmingham city centre and from Wednesbury to Stourbridge could create up to 5,300 sustainable new jobs and boost the region’s economy by an extra £178 million a year.
This would help the West Midlands close the economic gap with London, as called for by the Select Committee which also wants to see a re-alignment in the balance between rail investment in London and the South East and elsewhere in the country.
