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Metro back on track?

8/ 3/2006

MP DAVID Heyes believes an imminent 'positive announcement' could put Tameside proposed Metrolink extension back on track this month.

Mr Heyes says the on-off public transport saga could finally be nearing the end of the line.

Detailed discussions between members of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) and officials from the Department of Transport are progressing well and he is upbeat about the outcome.

"I am feeling very confident," he said.

"About six weeks ago there was a meeting in Manchester with all the local politicians, including MPs and some local authority representatives invited.

"The report we heard was very encouraging and I said at the time that I had never heard such a positive report on the prospects for Metrolink.

"There are some very complicated discussions still to be completed between GMPTE and government officials.

"However, everything I have heard indicates to me that the extension will happen and, I understand, there is even the possibility of an announcement in late March."

He added: "If the government were setting us up for a disappointment, I would have expected to detect that by now and not to have seen such encouraging information."

The Ashton extension was one of three new lines axed in December 2004 by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling, who said he could not provide the £900m needed to complete the project.

Following the Advertiser's campaign to get the scheme 'Back On-Track', the government has since confirmed part of the funding for transport improvements and invited the GMPTE to submit a bid for the shortfall this year.

A GMPTE spokesperson said: "We are continuing to have positive discussions with the Department of Transport to reinstate a budget of £250m for the development of public transport in the areas where Metrolink is proposed."