Shuttle extension could provide a cut-price alternative to delayed Metro tram line

The first-phase of the line, from Wednesbury to Dudley town centre, is due to open next year, but the final stretch between the Merry Hill centre and Brierley Hill has been shelved, while funding for the link between Dudley and Merry Hill is on a knife edge amid mounting costs.

Sandeep Shingadia, director of strategic partnerships and integration with Transport for West Midlands, said extending the Stourbridge shuttle, which runs between Stourbridge Town and Stourbridge Junction railway stations, was one of the alternatives that the authority was now considering.

Sandeep said: “We are undertaking feasibility studies into five potential mass transit routes, including the Brierley Hill to Stourbridge corridor."

Steve Jasper, of Stourbridge shuttle operator Pre Metro, said his company could provide a service connecting Dudley, Brierley Hill and Stourbridge for less than a quarter of the cost of linking Dudley to the Waterfront under the existing proposals.

Mr Jasper said the 'Stourbridge Dasher' plan could be implemented more quickly than the West Midlands Metro, would create less disruption, and would provide easier access between Dudley and Stourbridge.

Transport for West Midlands revealed in July that the cost of the total cost of extending the Metro tramline from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill town centre had risen from the £449 billion originally budgeted, to an estimated £650 million.

The opening of the first stage, between Wednesbury and Dudley town centre, was due to open this year, but has now been delayed by 12 months.

A meeting of the West Midlands Combined Authority board was told that the cost of the second stage of the extension, between Dudley and the Waterfront at Brierley Hill, had risen to £228 million.

The final phase of the line, between the Merry Hill centre and Brierley Hill town centre, was dropped amid rising costs.

Mr Jasper called for the authority to drop any further extensions to the Metro once the Wednesbury-Dudley link was complete, and to extend the Stourbridge shuttle to Dudley instead.

He said a link between Stourbridge, Brierley Hill and Dudley, making use of the existing railway line, could be delivered for just £50 million – a 78 per cent saving compared to the cost of extending West Midlands Metro from Dudley to the Waterfront.

He said: "It’s time for the combined authority to prioritise financial accountability and embrace transformative alternatives.

"By safeguarding public funds, we can deliver a brighter, more connected future for everyone.

"We are requesting that the authority reviews current proposals and assists in evaluating an alternative that offers quicker results and better value for money."

Mr Shingadia said the authority was exploring a range of options, from rapid bus services to full tramways.

"We have invited Pre Metro for further engagement at the appropriate time as these proposals develop," he said.

Mr Shingadia said concerns had rightly been raised over the costs of the ongoing Metro projects.

"However a number of factors are responsible for this, including that the majority of our works take place in busy town and city centres where works not only include the laying of track and overhead lines, but also involve the cost of associated utility diversions, road and pavement works as well as wider improvements to the public realm.

"At the same time we do look for opportunities to innovate and have, for example, pioneered the use of battery powered trams to avoid the need for overhead lines."