Cost pressures spark Mayoral review into transport projects

Richard Parker has ordered an independent review into the West Midlands’ transport projects, as he is “profoundly concerned” by rising costs and potential delays.

Cost pressures to schemes such as the Camp Hill line stations, the Dudley interchange and metro extension could result in big delays.

New Labour Mayor Parker says the review will help the West Midlands Combined Authority to plan “more effectively” and deliver schemes on time and on budget. Parker committed to delivering the projects but wants clearer timescales in place.

His fears came before he was elected in May, as he “could see that the previous mayor’s grand promises for additional transport connectivity in the region weren’t being delivered.

“That’s why since being elected, I have made it my business to understand what is happening with the delivery of capital and transport projects.”

Former Mayor Andy Street hit out at claims and said he left “an incredible pipeline of funded projects including new rail stations, metro routes, bus improvement measures, and active travel schemes”.

“If the mayor is now taking the decision to scale-back these plans then that is up to him and him alone.

‘There were no end of challenges with transport projects when I was mayor – not least around inflation and construction challenges.

“But every time I sat down with officers and my team and worked through the problems to get schemes back on track.

“That was certainly the case with the Camp Hill line stations and Dudley Metro extension, which were on track to their revised timetables when I left office.”

WMCA leaders are set to outline funding strategy for the transport schemes this week.