WORK to create the world’s leading research and innovation centre for very light rail is set to go ahead after a multi-million pound funding bid was approved.

Dudley Council has been awarded more than £18million by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership towards the cost of its ambitious project to develop a very light rail innovation hub and test track on the site of the old Dudley railway station in the heart of the town centre.

Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “This is the news we’ve been waiting for. We know Dudley has what it takes to lead very light rail technology globally and we now have the investment we need to get this project of the ground.”

It is hoped that the new centre will help to revolutionise very light rail technology, with Dudley leading the way globally in this field.

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 a cheaper alternative to heavy rail and traditional ‘Metro’ urban transport systems.

This part of the project is expected to cost in the region of £25million.

The £18m funding decision will also have to go back to the LEP in November to be rubber stamped and a funding bid for the remaining £7million has been submitted to the government. This will be used to cover build and test track costs as well as research and equipment costs.

Warwickshire Manufacturing Group, a department of the University of Warwick is spearheading the project with support from the council.

In total, the project is expected to cost in the region of £29million.