New Metro images (From Stourbridge News)

New Metro images

12:38pm Monday 4th February 2008 in Local By Mark Stanford

THIS is the first image of how the proposed multi-million pound Metro route will look when it passes Dudley Zoo and Castle.

The Wednesbury to Brierley Hill route, featuring Dudley, is part of the Phase One extension of the Midland Metro tram routes in Birmingham and the Black Country.

It is estimated the two planned Midland Metro tram routes in Birmingham and the Black Country could bring with them up to 5,300 jobs and put an extra £178m a year into the region's kitty.

Owners of the Merry Hill Shopping Centre, Westfield, have agreed to stump up £36.5m towards the project with shoppers able to use the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill stretch.

A study by the independent Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) found numerous benefits to the project.

A Phase Two extension is also in the pipeline featuring three Metro lines leaving Birmingham City Centre to Birmingham Airport/ NEC, Quinton and Great Barr.

The Black Country would also be catered for linking up Wolverhampton, Wednesfield, Willenhall, Walsall and Wednesbury.

Town councillors previously said the project would be a "lifeline" for Dudley and offer a vital boost to multi-million pound regeneration plans.

Cllr Gary Clarke, chairman of Centro-WMPTA, said: "The findings of the CEBR study show just how strong the business case is for these Metro extensions and how quickly they can pay for themselves.

"Whilst it has always been accepted that jobs would be created during the construction phase of such a major transport project, this study confirms how the benefits of improved connectivity and access brought about by the Metro extensions will feed their way into the local economy after opening.

"It shows how the Metro can act as a catalyst for economic growth.

"Our plans for the Phase One extensions are complete and we are ready to move forward as soon as funding is made available."