Government gives pounds 80m to Midlands rail line

The Government last night announced the go-ahead for the Midland Metro light railway scheme, a 12-mile route linking Birmingham and Wolverhampton.

The Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Steven Norris, said in a written reply to the Commons: "I am pleased to announce that we are now satisfied with the level of local funding being provided for this project. I can therefore confirm that the Government will provide pounds 80m of funding, as requested by the local authorities."

With a local contribution of pounds 32m, plus money expected from the European Regional Development Fund, this would provide enough money for the scheme to proceed, Mr Norris added.

"Midland Metro Line One is excellent news for travellers in the West Midlands," he said.

"It will be good for the environment and provide motorists with an atlernative form of transport in a congested corridor," he said.

The line will run from Birmingham to Wolverhampton through West Bromwich and Wednesbury.