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Black Country and Staffordshire councils to be given more powers over rail services

Councils in the Black Country and Staffordshire will be given more powers over rail services, the Transport Secretary today said.

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Former Cannock miner Patrick McLoughlin met representatives from a consortium of 14 councils during a visit to Wolverhampton.

He said good progress was being made towards putting more responsibility for local rail services in local hands.

He said: "The meeting went really well and we had councils from across the Black Country, Staffordshire and Shropshire.

"Like what we have said in Manchester with Transport for the North, we want to devolve more powers to local decision makers about the local services they provide."

The consortium, known as West Midlands Rail (WMR), will work with the Department for Transport on the development and introduction of a new rail franchise for the region in 2017.

The Secretary of State's visit follows a proposition for rail devolution submitted by WMR last autumn after the DfT asked English regions for their thoughts on having a greater role in the commissioning and management of local rail services.

Mr McLoughlin added: "£38bn is being invested in our rail network as part of the government's long term economic plan to generate jobs and growth.

"Giving local areas a greater say over how their train services are run can help drive the improvements to our railways that passengers want. I am pleased that good progress is being made with the WMR consortium to do this in the West Midlands."

WMR said the powers could help boost local economies.

Councillor Roger Lawrence, leader of Wolverhampton City Council and chair of WMR, said: "Not only does this help put us on the road towards better rail services, it endorses the way West Midland councils are working together in pursuit of a common cause.

"Holding more responsibility locally can help ensure future development of the network is best targeted for economic growth and jobs. This includes developing the network in a way that can secure the maximum economic benefits possible from HS2.

"That's why the West Midlands authorities have come together on this and are united in their support for a greater role in the way local train services are specified and managed."

Councillor Mark Winnington, Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for economy, environment and transport and vice chairman of WMR, added: "Including local people and knowledge in the management of the region's network can bring a better understanding of what passengers and businesses really need.

Mr McLoughlin also said the Department for Transport is reviewing proposals for a revamp of Wolverhampton train station.

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