Mayors help mark Metro birthday

Staff at Midland Metro have been celebrating the anniversary

Mayors from around the West Midlands have met up for a tram ride to mark the 10th anniversary of the Midland Metro.

Among those taking part were deputy lord mayor of Birmingham Chauhdry Abdul Rashid, Sandwell mayor Geoff Lewis and mayor of Dudley Patricia Martin.

They boarded the tram at different stops before attending celebrations at Wolverhampton's St George tram stop.

National Express, which operates the Metro, said it had become an "integral part" of region's transport network.

Neil Barker, bus and coach director for the firm, said it had also helped regenerate areas along the line.

When the Metro opened on 31 May, 1999, it was the first street tramway to run in the West Midlands for more than 40 years.

National Express said it now carried more than 5m people a year across 23 tram stops which link Birmingham and Wolverhampton.

Transport authority Centro plans to extend the network along several new routes.