A FIRST glimpse of Dudley's proposed multi-million pound bus and tram interchange has been released.

The drawings offer an insight into what the final design might look like, including a living roof covered in grass and bright, open spaces.

The Interchange will serve buses, Sprint rapid transit vehicles and West Midlands Metro trams which will run on the upcoming Wednesbury to Dudley to Brierley Hill extension.

The project could be completed by 2022 if planning permission is granted, so will be ready for the scheduled opening of the Metro extension in 2023.

Draft images were released as part of an outline planning application for the scheme to Dudley Council by Transport for West Midlands, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

The WMCA decided earlier this month to contribute £10 million towards the predicted £18 million cost of the project.

Funds will also come from the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership and Dudley Council, which is close to finalising its remaining funding.

Cllr Keiran Casey, Dudley Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: “I am really pleased that an application has now been submitted for outline planning permission for Dudley’s new Metro and bus station interchange.

"This is another major step forward in terms of improvements in local transport and connectivity for Dudley and for the general regeneration in the town centre.

“That's why we have been pushing the WMCA to get the plans drawn up as quickly as possible and it's great they are now on the table for consideration."

He added: “It is one of a number of great projects in the pipeline at the moment which will make a massive difference to Dudley and I want to see these started as soon as possible.”

Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street explained: “Thanks to devolution the region now has far greater freedom to decide for itself which transport schemes are best for economic growth, jobs and passengers.

“It means we will be building more than £3.4bn of new transport infrastructure over the next decade and the Dudley Interchange and the West Midlands Metro extension are part of that investment package.

“The scheme submitted today and the associated tram extension will better connect Dudley to the rest of the West Midlands opening up more job, training and leisure opportunities for local people. That has to be good news for the town and its future.”