'Why is Wolverhampton not a primary beneficiary?' - councillor suggests city missed out in Chancellor's £2.4 billion transport announcement
A senior councillor has voiced concerns that Wolverhampton had missed out in last week's spending announcement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Last week Miss Reeves announced an extra £2.4 billion funding for the West Midlands, the bulk of which would be spent on extending the West Midlands Metro tram service to a proposed new Birmingham City football ground at Bordesley Green.
She said money would also be made available for Wolverhampton's Green Innovation Corridor and also to improve bus services in Dudley and Walsall.
But Councillor Bennett, leader of the opposition Conservative group, said while the funding was welcome, he was concerned Wolverhampton was not one of the 'primary beneficiaries'.
"Given Wolverhampton's strategic importance within the West Midlands, and its ongoing efforts to drive economic growth and urban regeneration, the apparent omission raises questions about the criteria and considerations that guided the fair distribution of this investment," he said.
Councillor Bennett said Wolverhampton - and council leader Councillor Stephen Simkins - had been proactive in promoting projects to revitalise the city,, and had received funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority for projects such as the Canalside South scheme.
He has written to the elected regional mayor for the West Midlands, Richard Parker, asking for clarification on the criteria used to determine the distribution of the money, and how Wolverhampton's existing and planned projects were reflected in the assessment.
He also asked whether there would be future opportunities for Wolverhampton to access similar levels of funding for transport and infrastructure projects, ensuring the city was not disadvantaged in regional development plans.
"In order for Wolverhampton's major schemes like Canalside and the Green Innovation Corridor to succeed, good well-connected public transport infrastructure is key, and this appears to be lacking from your current plans," he wrote.
"I believe that transparent communication and collaborative planning are essential to ensure equitable development across the West Midlands."
Mr Parker said the money would benefit all areas of the West Midlands.
“This is a huge investment in transport in our region, and it will make it easier and more affordable for everyone, from Coventry to the Black Country, to get to work, school, college, hospital or anywhere across the West Midlands. Millions of people rely on our transport network everyday and now, we are going to make sure it works for everyone."
He said the tram extension, which will eventually link up to Birmingham Airport and Solihull, would unlock billions in investment, creating thousands of new jobs and homes.
"But the funding will go so much further and will bring big improvements across our region’s bus, road, rail and cycling networks," he added.
Mr Parker said proposals already being earmarked for consideration included investment in electric buses and depots as part of his flagship bus-franchising scheme, as well giving councils more money for road and pothole repairs.
He said Transport for West Midlands would work with local councils to draw up an investment programme over the next two years.
All projects would be subject to approval by the West Midlands Combined Authority board, chaired by the mayor, and, for larger projects, the Department for Transport.
The schemes will be delivered between 2027 and 2032.
