Questions for the Secretary of State for Transport

Suggestion for MPs to put down a question to the Secretary of State for Transport.  May I suggest, this question?

Why, in the Black Country, is the UK's last remaining, unopened, north-south inter-city rail line to be relegated to a test track for a still to be developed Very Light Rail (VLR) tram train, that may be appropriate for branch lines and road running, only? Especially, when there is an unused branch line in the same borough of Dudley that would be a more appropriate alternative.

(NB: The Black Country Rail Line of 13.5 miles is in your constituency and is one that you could use to and from Parliament - if you and I were allowed to!)

Further possible question:

Why, in Birmingham and the Black Country, are there 45 miles of double track rail lines that, for 100 years had passenger trains but, only freight trains for the last 50 years?

Very many thanks, if you can help us all in this way, please.

e-petition for the Black Country Rail Line

REOPEN THE BLACK COUNTRY RAIL LINE

1) After 34 years of trying but failing to get trams, cancel the fruitless endeavour and return existing trains and rebuild the stations.
2) Trams were only for the middle section, anyway!
3) Return, instead, trains to the full length of 13.5 miles of mothballed, double track rail line through three densely populated Black Country boroughs - Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall.
4) It runs alongside or close to commuter congested roads.
5) This forgotten, strategically vital, train line connects at either end with the national rail network.
6) It would relieve some of the chronic road and rail congestion at New Street Station in Birmingham by creating 13 miles of more rail capacity in the adjacent Black Country.
7) It would give rail passengers from all over the UK an opportunity to visit the Black Country (especially, the Museum, Zoo, Canal Trust and Merry Hill Shopping Centre) and give Brum a miss - for once!