Plans for a two-stop extension to the Midlands Metro through Birmingham City Centre have been described as ‘unambitious’ by a leading councillor.

City chiefs are capitalising on the impending redevelopment of Paradise Circus to support the £31 million extension of the Metro tram line from New Street Station to Centenary Square, via the Town Hall.

But Liberal Democrat deputy leader Coun Jon Hunt, who is also a member of the regional transport authority, said: “It is clearly opportunistic, but they way it is envisioned seems either unambitious or potentially flawed.

“The big question is why stop at Centenary Square when you can run it along Broad Street.”

He said that spending £8 million on a terminus and facilities at Centenary Square could be a waste if the scheme is exended further later on and urged transport chiefs to have a fresh look at it.

The council’s Labour cabinet has apporved the funding, under the Enterprize Zone scheme, for the extension.

City cabinet member for transport Coun Tahir Ali said: “The issue of where the Metro goes after this will be addressed in the council’s 20 year vision for transport, the Urban Mobility Plan.”

The extension from Snow Hill Station to New Street Station is currently under construction and due to open in 2015.

This further development will be carried out alongside the rebuilding of Paradise Circus.