Dudley South MP gives support for Dudley Dasher scheme

Pre Metro – operators of the Stourbridge Shuttle which uses Parry People Mover vehicles – have recently met with Dudley South MP, Mike Wood, who has reaffirmed his support for the Dudley Dasher proposal which would see services running between Stourbridge and Brierley Hill.

Mr Wood will be assisting Pre Metro in meeting with Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, in order to garner his support in financing the research needed into the line through the City Region Sustainable Transport Scheme (CRSTS).

The Dudley Dasher would use one of two existing heavy rail lines between Stourbridge and the Round Oak Steel Works to provide a dedicated passenger service that would help passengers reach places such as Amblecote, Brettell Lane, Merry Hill and Brierley Hill Town Centre. Its estimated that £70,000 would be needed to fund the research into the line.

Steve Jasper, Pre Metro’s Operations Director, said: “Whilst this is a small amount of the CRSTS, it establishes the foundations for an affordable and logical integration of rail, connecting Stourbridge to the Dudley to Brierley Hill Metro extension. This scheme is but one of the many building blocks we will need to meet the continuing demand for new, quality homes, services, and jobs. We believe it will help the region meet those future challenges. With our current patronage beginning to hit previous levels within Stourbridge, now is the time to plan for further growth”

Mike Wood, Dudley South MP, said: “Work on the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension is now firmly underway, so I think it’s only sensible that we work with partners such as Pre Metro to identify ways of further expanding the local Light Rail network to better connect our towns. Connecting Brierley Hill and Stourbridge using the Dasher would help people get around the local area – relieving some of the pressure off our busy roads and potentially offering a further boost to our towns. This would be good for local people and good for the local economy.”

Pre Metro are already engaging with vehicle manufacturers, the West Midlands Rail Executive and Network Rail as they believe this is a quick-win scheme and hope that a service could start within two years.

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