Thursday, October 20, 2022
FEATURE By George – it’s Pet of the Week Page 7
WOLVERHAMPTON EDITION
NEWS Miners’ fight for rights retold Page 23
SPORT Sa rallies the Wolves troops Back page
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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.
Cheers to Oktoberfest
From left, Rahel Sidhu, Isabel Field, and Jake Reeve enjoy the event The spirit of Bavaria came to Wolverhampton with beer, sausages, and music on the agenda at an Oktoberfest event. The Hangar in Pearson Street hosted the celebration on Saturday with traditional German food and entertainment. Visitors dressed up, raised a stein, and tasted delicious wursts, tasty frikadellen, mouth-watering pan haus, alongside many more traditional German delights. There was entertainment in the form of live Oompah bands, playing
a mix of German classics, as well as contemporary songs. Oktoberfest dates back more than 200 years and stems from Bavaria in southern Germany. The first festival was held on October 12, 1810, to celebrate the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Since then it’s become an international event, with festivals being held around the world, including plenty in the West Midlands.
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