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Labour councillors blast government

12/ 8/2004

LABOUR councillors in Tameside have torn into their Government as the Metrolink crisis deepens.

They have vowed to wage war on transport minister Alistair Darling over his decision to scrap the tram extension to Ashton.

Many members registered their anger during a heated full council meeting on Tuesday.

A resolution was passed urging the secretary of state to reconsider his controversial move, which would have "far reaching" consequences for the borough.

Dozens then stood defiantly on the town hall steps as economic chief Councillor Kieran Quinn and transport leader Councillor Alan Whitehead unfurled a protest banner which read: Tameside Needs Metrolink.

Councillor Quinn said: "Mr Darling dropped this bombshell announcement on us, but he didn't expect a tidal wave to engulf him.

"When he returns from Parliamentary recess, I'm sure he'll wish his holidays would have lasted a lot longer. I have never known a government decision to unite the business and political community as strongly.

"At the moment there is a cloud over our future, but every cloud has a silver lining. The way people are getting behind the campaign just strengthens our resolve. Tameside is doing well economically but the Metrolink would have been the icing on the cake. Investor confidence is high, but a lot of that was down to the trams coming.

"This is not just about Ashton and Droylsden. The benefits would spill out to Stalybridge and Hyde because we would be in easier reach of Manchester city centre.

"The government must reverse this decision."

Councillor Whitehead added: "We've been working towards the Metrolink for 13 years. Deputy prime minister John Prescott announced funding for it when he visited Manchester in 2000. Now it's up to the government to honour their pledge."