Stourbridge set for rail revolution (From Stourbridge News)

Stourbridge set for rail revolution

3:11pm Friday 22nd June 2007 in Local By Martyn Smith

A PIONEERING eco-friendly light railway system is coming to Stourbridge permanently after a change in regional train operators.

The Parry People Mover (PPM), developed in Cradley Heath, is to run on the branch line linking the town centre to Stourbridge Junction station following an announcement from the Department of Transport.

From November, Train operators GoVia will take over services in the West Midlands from current operators Central Trains.

GoVia have promised to introduce PPM to the Stourbridge line by the end of 2008.

PPM chairman John Parry MBE said: "This will bring clean green and quiet transport to the national rail industry.

"Experimental operation last year proved our technology is right for passengers, we're delighted GoVia and the Department of Transport agree with us, lightweight environmentally-friendly vehicles are the right solution for local branch lines."

Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho also welcomed the announcement, which she believes is good news for industry in the area.

Lynda said: "It is Black Country innovation and the right technology for this sort of line, it could make Stourbridge a centre for the next step in the railway industry.

"People from all over the world have come to see it, it's brilliant and everything about this is positive"

Council transport boss Angus Adams also believes GoVia are on the right lines and a new deal offers a chance for refurbishment.

He said: "It is very good news for Stourbridge Town and Junction, I would like to see extra carriages, longer platforms an station improvements."

The PPM train uses cutting edge Kinergetic technology to power the vehicle by capturing braking energy for re-use in acceleration.

During a 12 month trial last year, a PPM train on the Stourbridge line made 4,000 trips with 99 per cent punctuality and produced 80 per cent less carbon dioxide than the train currently in service.

The scheme will see two new railcars on the line operating from a new maintenance depot, eliminating the need for empty trains to run to workshops elsewhere.