Government to contribute funds to Midland Metro extension scheme

Date: 19/3/2010

The government has indicated that it is willing to provide up to £81 million towards the cost of an extension to the Midland Metro scheme, the Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed on Thursday (March 18th).

The extension would link the existing Midland Metro Line One to Birmingham New Street Station.

Tram carriages on the route would also be improved under the scheme.

The project is likely to cost a total of £127.1 million.

Following the DfT's announcement, the expansion programme now has Programme Entry status, meaning that it will receive government funding so long as costs remain the same, appropriate planning permission is obtained and subject to the availability of funds.

Transport minister Chris Mole commented: "An efficient and reliable transport system is critical to any city. That is why we’re investing significant amounts of money in infrastructure in towns and cities across the country."

Earlier this week, the government announced that Weston-super-Mare is to benefit from a series of improvements to its infrastructure.