Pre Metro recently met with key political, local authority and transport figures to discuss the potential development of the proposed Dudley Dasher and how the scheme could complement wider transport and regeneration ambitions across the Black Country.

Cat Eccles, MP for Stourbridge, hosted representatives from Pre Metro at Dudley Council House alongside Dudley Council Chief Executive Balvinder Heran; Anne Boyd, Director for Growth and Infrastructure at Dudley Council; Executive Director of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) Sandeep Shingardia; and Dean Hubbard from Black Country Transport.

The meeting brought together organisations that play a significant role in shaping the future of transport and infrastructure across Dudley and the wider West Midlands, providing an opportunity to discuss how the Dasher proposal could fit within existing and future regional programmes.

Pre Metro outlined its ambitions for the Dudley Dasher, which would build on the operational experience of the Stourbridge Shuttle and explore the potential for Very Light Rail (VLR) to provide an affordable new connection between Stourbridge and Brierley Hill.

A central purpose of the meeting was to develop a shared understanding of how the proposal could progress alongside other major programmes of work in the region, rather than being considered in isolation.

This includes the work taking place at the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre (VLRNIC) in Dudley, as well as wider transport, regeneration and connectivity priorities being developed by Dudley Council, Transport for West Midlands and other regional partners.

The discussion also provided an opportunity to better understand the practical considerations surrounding the development of the Dasher, including how the proposal could interact with existing infrastructure, future transport investment and the wider ambitions within the region.

For Pre Metro, the meeting represents another important step in building the relationships and collaborative approach required to determine a realistic route towards developing the scheme.

With more than 17 years of experience operating the Stourbridge Shuttle, we believe the West Midlands has an opportunity to build upon an existing and proven VLR operation while making greater use of the expertise, facilities and investment already present.

Rather than developing independently, greater collaboration between operators, local authorities, transport bodies and facilities such as the VLRNIC could help establish a clearer pathway for taking innovative transport proposals from concept towards delivery.

Following the meeting, Pre Metro’s Chairman, Steve Jasper, stated:

“Bringing key organisations around the same table is an important step. We now have an opportunity to work collaboratively, understand how the Dasher can complement wider transport and regeneration plans, and establish a realistic pathway for taking the proposal forward.”

Pre Metro will continue working with political, local authority and transport stakeholders to explore the next steps for the Dudley Dasher and understand how the proposal can complement the wider transport strategy for Dudley and the Black Country.

We expect a larger-scale meeting to take place later this year where key stakeholders will agree on a shared position on how this development can succeed.