Proposals for new taskforce to drive transport schemes
A new taskforce could be created in the Black Country to drive forward major transport projects in the four boroughs.
Dudley Council’s ruling cabinet is being asked to approve a spend of £40,000 per year to become part of the new Black Country Transport Team alongside Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton councils.
The team will oversee all major transport projects in the Black Country with a value of £2million or more, and/or which require external funding.
In Dudley that will include the Metro extension, the new bus and tram interchange in Dudley town centre, and improvements to the busy A4123 and A461 roads.
The cash will be used to fund six new jobs on the team – three managers, two graduates and an apprentice. They will be joined by one senior officer from each of the four councils to make up a ten-strong squad.
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said:
We want to make Dudley – and the wider Black Country – an attractive place to work and live.
Getting transport links right to make it as easy as possible for people to get from A to B is an essential part of that.
This new team will focus on getting key schemes over the line which will bolster our economy and create new jobs, and I will be asking the cabinet to back it.
The proposal will be discussed at the next meeting of the cabinet, which takes place on Tuesday March 15 from 6pm via Microsoft Teams.