A land swap deal is being proposed between Dudley Council and the Black Country Living Museum in a move bosses hope will bring more people to the town and boost the economy.

The local authority has agreed to hand over a piece of land it owns on Tipton Road to the museum. The land will be used to build an overflow car park as part of the “Forging Ahead” expansion project at the tourist attraction. The scheme is expected to create 68 full-time jobs and hundreds more volunteering opportunities.

It is also predicted to attract approximately 200,000 more visitors to Dudley every year, resulting in a £4.3 million boost to the town’s economy.

In return, the museum is to give the council a 1.5 acre patch of land it owns near to the recently approved Very Light Rail development and close to where the extension to the Metro line from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill will run. Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said:

“We feel that this is a move that is not only beneficial for both parties, but also for Dudley as a whole. It will allow the museum to build a big overflow car park for all the extra people they will be bringing into the town as a result of their expansion plans.

“It also gives us in return a piece of land close by to two very exciting developments we have planned ourselves, in the shape of Very Light Rail and the Metro. It’s important we all work together to try and make Dudley a better place, and this is a good example of partnership in action.”

The proposed deal is expected to be rubber-stamped at a meeting of Dudley Council’s cabinet on March 21.