Very light rail research hub gets multimillion-pound boost

Work to create a research and innovation centre in Dudley for very light rail is set to go ahead after a multimillion-pound funding bid was approved.Dudley Council has been awarded more than £18m by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership towards the cost of its project to develop a very light rail innovation hub and test track in the town centre, on the site of the old Dudley railway station.Once built, the hub will research ways to reduce the weight and cost of railcars, creating cheaper connections between suburban and rural areas and providing an alternative to heavy rail and traditional ‘Metro’ urban transport systems.This part of the project is expected to cost in the region of £25m and a funding bid for the remaining £7m has been submitted to the Government.This will be used towards the cost of the build as well as research and equipment costs.