Thursday, October 20, 2022
WALSALL EDITION
NEWS Miners’ fight for rights retold Page 15
MOTORING Taigo’s a sleek VW newcomer Page 27
SPORT ‘Almost’ is not enough – Flynn Back page
The region’s biggest free weekly newspaper Price when sold £1.20
PLAN ROW COSTS £1m
A fall-out between Black Country councils has cost taxpayers more than £1 million, it has been claimed. Neighbouring councils say that is the estimated cost of Dudley Council’s decision to withdraw from the Black Country Plan. The money has been spent to put together the plan, which is aimed at deciding where housing should go in future years and what areas of green belt should be protected. Leaders of Sandwell, Wolverhampton and Walsall all hit out at Dudley Councillor Patrick Harley’s “sudden” decision to pull the plug on the combined plan, which has now been split into four, after concerns its green belt would be built on. Walsall
Report by Thomas Parkes
leader Councillor Mike Bird said he and other leaders were trying to claw back the figure after the major proposals fell through. And, calling for a rethink as the fall-out continues, he has vowed to no longer support the ongoing Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Midland Metro extension. The Walsall chief said sites would have to be reviewed and costs could increase moving forward. He said: “We’re trying to recover some of our costs from Dudley and that’s a common thing through Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Walsall, because we’ve been thrust into this position – and
it’s not only the money we’ve spent it’s the costs incurred now and moving forward. I’m sad to say we’ve lost a lot of trust with Dudley. There’s been collaborative work between us for decades and Patrick has blown a hole in that.” Mr Bird said he would now “paddle my own canoe” after the three remaining authorities went their own ways on the scheme. Councillor Ian Brookfield, leader of Wolverhampton Council, said Dudley’s withdrawal would lead to “delays and extra cost”. Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, Sandwell Council’s leader, said they weare all “disappointed” the joint-approach taken by the four authorities had fallen through.
Rethink call on Metro line expansion Shockwaves from the collapse of the Black Country Plan are escalating following the withdrawal of support for a major transport project. Walsall Council leader Councillor Mike Bird said he would not support the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension and called for a “rethink”. He said: “I would not sup-
port it, certainly. I went out to bat for the Brierley Hill and Wednesbury extension and there was no benefit to Walsall, but I instead looked at the benefits it would have for the region. “I think myself, Sandwell and Wolverhampton are having second thoughts on that – it’s money we haven’t got. I supported the cause
originally but the project now needs a rethink.” The project, which has spiralled in cost, will stall if the majority of leaders of the West Midlands Combined Authority – the heads of Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull and Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell and Dudley – vote against it.
0121 505 5555 0121 522 2233
A transport museum reunited “twin” buses for the first time in 58 years, allowing the public to take trips on them around the Black Country. Aldridge Transport Museum showcased two red D9 buses over the weekend, one from its own collection, and one from the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley. The double decker buses, fleet numbers 5370 and 5342, were reunited for the first time since entering service in 1964. Aldridge Transport Museum’s 5370 spent its working life
in Leicester, carrying out local services, but may well have been used in its prime on the X68 to Birmingham – where it could have met the 5342. The Black Country Living Museum’s 5342 was based in Stourbridge and spent a fair amount of its time on service 130 to Birmingham, which is now service number 9. Passengers got to enjoy trips on the two vintage double deckers at an event on Sunday, taking in the sights of Lichfield, Walsall and Barr Beacon as the pair hit the road once again for old times’ sake.
LOOK £2.60!
*
search for County Cars gpc
Book, Pre-Book and Track Your Taxi from the APP
David Goodwin, Richard Gray and Tim Shields with the buses
FARES FROM
There’s an “APP” for your Local search for County Cars
Double deckers reunited
CHEAPEST TAXI FARES AROUND
Ring Back: We dead ring you when 1 minute away Text Back: We text your phone when 1 minute away
*dependent on mileage