Plans for an £18m extension of the tram service in Wolverhampton have been given the go-ahead by the government.

The Midland Metro is set to go along Pipers Row, to the city's bus station and on to the railway station which is being redeveloped.

The secretary of state for transport's approval meant preparatory work could start later this year, said West Midlands transport authority Centro.

The route is expected to be competed in 2019.

The work is part of a £120m redevelopment of the city centre, Centro said.

Roger Lawrence, Wolverhampton City Council leader, said the extension "can play a key role in unlocking further investment and jobs".

"If we are to succeed in revitalising our city then we must have the right transport infrastructure in place to open up new areas for redevelopment and underpin our long term ambitions," he said.
In December, trams returned to Birmingham for the first time in more than 60 years.