Transport Scrutiny on 24.11.22

Dear Cathy

I would like to attend, if I may, to read this out in my three minutes, please:

1. What were the conclusions of the Andy Street, 2021 independent inquiry into Metro operations?
2. Now that the Dudley Tram will arrive in Dudley town centre, is this the right time to urge TfWM that the promise of reopening the full 120 Kms Black Country Railway has finally arrived and must be worked on?  Laura Shoaf, Chief Executive of the WMCA has reassured us that "passive provision" for freight and passenger trains to return through the Black Country is being built into the Dudley tram line.
3. In the light of the multiple crises confronting society, is this the right time to abandon further Metro extensions and to concentrate on rebuilding the foundations of public transport - bus and train - and so freeing up the road space for truly essential business users rather than commuters not needing their cars for their work?

EXPLANATION AND BACKGROUND

Since the 1990s, under Centro and the Passenger Transport Authority, the promise of reopening the middle section of our railway "of national strategic significance"

 "of national strategic significance".pdf

has always been dependent on the tramline going on the two nibble sized sections first: "Light rail investment provides the basis for restoring heavy rail services at the appropriate time" (letter from Tom Magrath, Passenger Services Director, Centro, dated 18 September 2000)

 Magrath quote, MM history and costs

Best wishes