Investment in roads, apprenticeships, and supporting manufacturing: Black Country Chamber of Commerce outlines plans for 2015

Top of its list is securing finance for roads in the area to help resolve what it describes as the "gridlock that plagues the region."

A second ambition is it to encourage local firms to take on young apprentices.

And finally it wants to provide support to manufacturers to help them boost exports.

Chamber President Ninder Johal, said: "This is a small list but fulfilling these needs will make a significant impact on the area.

"Our next plan will hold us responsible for developing innovative ways to make use of the business talent in the Black Country to help all local businesses grow."

The group's warning over the state of the Black Country's roads comes a week after the Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin claimed government cash allocated for fixing potholes will attract business to the region.

A total of £512 million will be spent on road maintenance across the West Midlands over the next six years.

More than £100m has been allocated to fund repairs in Staffordshire, while Wolverhampton is getting £11.7m, Walsall £12.6m, Sandwell £16.8m and Dudley £15.8m.

Mr Johal said a nationwide transport infrastructure plan, which is attractive to private investment, is needed.

He added: "We need to ensure that our aviation and high speed rail strategies support the rebalancing of the economy rather than working in opposite directions.

"We need to invest in roads to overcome the local and motorway gridlock that plagues the region and reduces our attractiveness for inward investment.

"For every £1 spent on roads there is a £4 economic benefit."

Last year the Chamber pledged to double the size of the Black Country economy over the next ten years.

And it has once again stressed the importance of manufacturing which it says is too often overlooked in favour of financial services.

Mr Johal added: "These are the areas we will be lobbying for and are covered in our manifesto and aims.

"We have high expectations from the next government to put aside party differences and make the changes necessary to underpin a resurgence of industry across the UK and revitalise the Black Country in particular."