Wolverhampton’s tram system could be linked with the train station within the next five years as part of a £30 million plan to extend the Metro, it emerged today.

Public transport users in the city are being asked to comment on the proposals, which would see the Midland Metro tram system travel in a single track loop around the city centre and link the St Georges stop to the new transport interchange, creating a direct connection between the bus, train and tram services.

The scheme has been proposed by transport authority Centro, which is developing the route in partnership with Wolverhampton City Council. It is hoped to be completed by 2014.

A series of exhibitions will be held this month, where people can share their views. Centro is due to submit a business case for the proposal to the Department for Transport for funding approval, before working to secure legal powers to build the line.

The Wolverhampton loop would see trams travelling clockwise around the city centre, starting at St Georges and along Market Street, Princess Street, Lichfield Street and Pipers Row, and linking to the railway station.

The scheme is highlighted as a priority for the West Midlands and was included in the region’s bid for the Government’s Regional Funding Allocation (RFA) earlier this year.

This also includes a submission for new, longer trams which would run around the loop and on the existing line between Birmingham and Wolverhampton. They would be able to carry up to 40 per cent more people during peak times, and 75 per cent more people during off peak hours, and would run every six minutes.

Questionnaires can be filled in on-line at www.centro.org.uk/metro or at any of the six planned exhibitions.

The first exhibition will be held at Pipers Row bus station on July 8, while two will be held at the Wolverhampton Show in West Park on July 11 and 12.

BB’s Cafe in the Wulfrun Centre will host a further exhibition on July 15, with another at the bus station on July 17. The final one will be at BB’s Cafe on July 18.

Leaflets on the scheme will also be available from libraries and the council building.

Midland Metro Line One currently operates between Wolverhampton St Georges and Birmingham Snow Hill. It carries more than five million passengers a year.

Peter Adams, Centro’s project director for Metro, said today: “It is vital that we understand and represent the needs and views of residents, visitors, commuters and shoppers in the city when putting together our detailed design for the scheme.”