Two Dudley councillors have written to the Mayor of the West Midlands expressing concern that the WMCA is backtracking on the commitment to deliver the Metro Extension in full to Brierley Hill Town Centre.

Cllrs Adam Davies and Wayne Little, who represent Brierley Hill and Wordsley South ward on Dudley Council, questioned the commitment of Richard Parker to ensuring the new branch of the Metro, currently funded to end at Merry Hill, gets to Brierley Hill high street.

Comparisons are made to former Mayor, Andy Street, who the pair say was 'fully committed' to full delivery of the Metro all the way to Brierley Hill, having struck several devolution deals and settlements with the then government to progress this. 

Cllr Davies said: “At Scrutiny Committee and Brierley Hill Town Board meetings over the last 6 to 12 months, deep concerns have emerged around the risk of West Midlands Combined Authority backtracking on their commitment to the full Metro extension to Brierley Hill Town Centre under the new Mayor's leadership.

“Despite the Labour Mayor not officially announcing he is cancelling the final leg of the Metro extension, it seems that a void in leadership is effectively risking that happening by default – with WMCA officers unable to answer key questions we have put to them about delivery of Metro beyond Merry Hill.

“We're therefore calling on Richard Parker to step up and demonstrate the leadership required to make sure the right resources (both people and funding) are allocated to completion of the Extension in full as a priority.”

Cllr Wayne Little added: “The Metro has always been about supporting wider economic regeneration and increased opportunities for local businesses and people, so it needs to be delivered in full as promised.

“We will continue to push for the funding commitments made to regenerate Brierley Hill and our surrounding areas.”

The 11km extension of the West Midlands Metro will branch off the current line just east of the Wednesbury Great Western Street Metro stop, before heading through Tipton and Dudley on its way to Merry Hill. There are plans for up to 14 trams stops along the route.

This first phase was expected to open for passenger services earlier this year, however was subject to delays along the way.