Transport 2

BRUM REFUSES TO PAY METRO FARE

06-06-2008

News that the four Black Country Councils are clubbing together to pay the £100,000 salary of a new director to chase funding for the Midland Metro extension begs the question – where’s Birmingham’s contribution?

Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley and Walsall are all clubbing together to fund the role – but not the Second City.

It’s not as though Brum doesn’t stand to benefit from an expanded network.

Routes are proposed from the city centre to both Quinton and the airport which would cut congestion, and there’s supposed to be a link from New Street to Snow Hill making it easier to navigate the city ecntre.

The Stirrer’s understanding is that although the Metro is a joint agreement between all the local authorities in the West Midlands, Birmingham’s interest has beenon the wanesince the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition was elected in 2004.

City leaders havenever been enthusiastic about the disruption to bus services that would be caused by a tram link between the city’s two main rail stations, and have no great desire to raise the cash themselves, now that government funding for the scheme has dried up. That’s left the Black Country authorities faced with the choice of dragging along an unwilling partner – or deciding to go it alone.

The fact that they’ve stumped up £100,000 between them, plus office costs in Wolverhampton says everything about their desire to fulfil the Metro dream; Birmingham’s lack on financial input says everything about its commitment.

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