International property experts have hailed the Midland Metro, with an indication that the expanding network could help bring jobs to the Black Country.
Praise for the tram system was delivered at a meeting of Europe’s major development companies in Cannes, France. They commented that the Metro has a positive impact on West Bromwich’s international reputation.
“Without doubt, the presence of a light rail system through our area is a positive draw to international investors,” says Ros Kerslake, chief executive of RegenCo - the urban regeneration company responsible for West Bromwich and its surrounding towns.
Kerslake was at the international event to sell the merits of investing in the Black Country. More than 5,000 companies were present on the look out for multi-billion pound development opportunities.
“Unusually, our area is blessed with a robust transport infrastructure – normally the top priority for any regeneration company,” she said. “We’ve main line rail stopping at Sandwell & Dudley (which I’d like to see renamed to West Bromwich) an award-winning bus station and we’re at the UK hub of the motorway network. They all weave together to powerful effect – even the canals which bring with them lucrative residential and leisure potential.”
“We hope to work extensively with organisations such as the region’s public transport promoter Centro to realise coherent plans for transforming the area (West Bromwich, Smethwick and Hill Top Wednesbury). For instance, I'd like to see another Metro stop between Great Bridge and Wednesbury Hill Top as we have identified it as a key future employment area for the Borough. It's not planned at the moment as there's limited demand but we imagine that by 2011 it will be a thriving economy.”
The Midland Metro line between Wolverhampton and Birmingham, via West Bromwich opened five years ago and has now established itself as the region’s most reliable form of public transport. A public inquiry to extend the system from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill has just concluded and five further lines are planned, including a link to Walsall.
