It is reported that the chances of Midland Metro extensions are unlikely unless Council officials in the West Midlands agree to allow road pricing to be introduced as part of the TIF. Officials had hoped that the Metro extensions would be able to be dealt with separately but the government have put all transport issues in the region under one umbrella.
The delays in getting funding for the extensions – which would see Brierley Hill and Edgbaston amongst others join the network – are also likely to cause problems as the TWA order for the lines only lasts five years, which would expire in 2010. Experts don’t believe it would be possible to get everything sorted and contracts signed by this expiry.
The Department for Transport have, in their wisdom, decided that the only way they could possibly fund the extensions would be through the TIF, and money from this fund is only likely to be given to local authorities, such as Greater Manchester, who are willing to charge road users for using the roads.
An outline business case was submitted back in July 2006 describing the extensions as a major contribution to accessibility and recognition but the DfT will not consider funding the plans until a full business case is received – and this will not happen until agreement has been reached between the seven local Councils that make up Centro. The Audit Commission have told Centro that more work is needed on road pricing and the role in can play in tackling congestion.
A letter from the Audit Commission to Centro stated: “The slippage in submission of a full TIF business case has led to a consequent delay to Metro phase 1 extension funding. This has meant it is highly unlikely that contracts for the phase 1 extensions can be awarded prior to the expiry of the Transport and Works Act powers which are needed for the extension work to take place.”
Whether approval will ever be given for the extensions remains up in the air with many Council officials starting to get more and more doubtful especially as a Centro study concluded that fast buses would cost half as much with almost the same number of people using them.
* An editorial from the Birmingham Post looks into this subject. You can read this here.
Source: icBirmingham