HALESOWEN cycling supremo Dave Viner has put forward an ambitious bid to bring the Commonwealth Games road race to the streets of the Black Country.

Viner, chairman at Halesowen Cycling Club, hopes that Birmingham 2022 can also benefit the areas outside the second city with the help of a race from Wolverhampton to Birmingham via a host of key locations.

He has already put forward a route for the event and hopes local authorities can push forward his proposal to the Commonwealth Games' organising committee.

Under Viner's plans, the race would start at Aldersley Stadium, include a ceremonial ride to Victoria Squad and West Park and then visit Tettenhall, Shifnal, Sutton Maddock and Bridgnorth before heading towards Himley, Dudley, Netherton, Old Hill and Halesowen. It would join the A456 at Mucklow Hill and head for a finish in Broad Street, Birmingham.

The event would also see fan parks set up in West Park, Himley Park and Lightwoods Park.

Viner explained: "This suggested course has been designed based on the idea of linking the City of Wolverhampton, which was the birth place of massed start road racing in the UK in 1942, with the host city of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

"At the moment the Black Country doesn't seem to be gaining too much because of the games, except for the swimming facility in Smethwick.

"This would be the perfect opportunity to bring the Commonwealth Games to our area.

"Hundreds and hundreds of people can line the route. As seen recently with the Tour de France and many other major cycle races, there is no better way of advertising the finest features of a region than TV covering a cycle road race.

"Dudley Castle, Himley Hall and many other places could all be featured as the race passes through.

"Current Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas won the road race at Glasgow 2014 and once again we could see him and some of the world's best cyclists in our region.

"It could be one hell of an event and it just needs the local authorities to take up the pitch and put it to the event organisers.

"I have already heard back from councillor Roger Lawrence, the leader of Wolverhampton City Council, and he has tasked his officers to look into it further.

"Other councillors and MPs have also been notified so hopefully the proposal can start to gather pace."

Councillor Simon Phipps, who serves the Belle Vale Ward on Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, has already thrown his support behind the plans.

He said: "I would definitely be a big supporter of the scheme so long as it had professional marshalling and sensible road closures.

"It would be a once in a generation opportunity and a way that Dudley could benefit from the Games. I've told Dave I'll be more than happy to chat to the decision makers at the council about the proposal."