News

| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View Comments(11)
CAMPAIGN: Jim Battle, right, hands out leaflets
CAMPAIGN: Jim Battle, right, hands out leaflets

advertisement

Blues' fans Metrolink goal

Dean Kirby
16/ 8/2004

THOUSANDS of Manchester City fans have signed a petition demanding that plans to extend a Metrolink line to the City of Manchester Stadium are put back on track.

MP Tony Lloyd and Labour councillors listened to supporters' views on transport links to the ground before the team played Fulham on Saturday.

And the fans backed a massive campaign calling on Transport Secretary Alistair Darling to reinstate the third phase of Metrolink expansion, which would have meant a station being opened right outside the stadium.

Manchester Central MP Mr Lloyd said: 'Manchester City fans and people across Greater Manchester are fully in support of this campaign.

'It would also benefit those who still want to use their cars because it would take many vehicles off the road as well. It would be a win-win situation for everyone.'

Transport secretary Alistair Darling announced last month that 'big bang' plans to expand the Metrolink system to Oldham and Rochdale, Ashton-under-Lyne and South Manchester were being scrapped.

The routes were withdrawn even though '200m has already been spent on preparing them.

It would have meant that thousands of City fans could get a tram to the ground direct via Manchester city centre from towns such as Oldham, Bury, Altrincham and Ashton-under-Lyne.

Coun Jim Battle, the deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: 'When this decision was made, Alistair Darling underestimated people's determination to get the Metrolink back on track.

'This stadium is one of the most important spots for Metrolink expansion. Most of these fans could have come here on the Metrolink today and that's why they have signed the petition.'

'I can't get a tram home from Manchester and I can't get one here to the ground.

'It's a disgrace. I'd definitely use the Metrolink for the match.'

Mark Kenyon, who flew from his home in Ireland for the game, said: 'Metrolink is the best and most effective way of travelling. City has a modern stadium and fans should be able to get there on a modern form of transport.

Are you supporting the fight to get Metronlink back on track?


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(11)


Most recent 2 of 11 user comments

   theire is a railway station 5 minuites walk from the city stadium, this station is phillips park, it is still theire in one piece and only needs clearing of rubbish and weeds and new lighting (which has been vandalised). trains already run through this station at half hour intervals seven days a week but do not stop as the station was closed some years ago?. this station has four platforms, two on the victoria to ashton line and two accesible from piccadilly,this station can not be opened without the approval of gmpte, they will not give approval becouse this would put theire beloved tram project in jeprody, you as a fan or public transport user are losing out to this hypocrosy from a blinkered and out of touch council. ring and ask why this station is not in use? the answer if you get one will almost certainly be metrolink we can't see beyond our beloved metrolink, hmmm nice dream i'm a councillor you now metrolink. ///// and we vote for them.
j prince, stockport
30/08/2004 at 18:31

Offensive or Inappropriate?

   I was happy to see the London Olympic bid team present their case in Athens a few days ago. I sincerely hope they succeed where we failed. It seemed, however, the World's Press has cottoned on to London's terrible public transport, a major disadvantage to the current UK bid. However, in Athens, the UK presentation was able to announce new funding for London transport proposals, as part of the Olympic bid. Suddenly, all the pieces came into place...
Dr J Halford, Norther Moor
17/08/2004 at 18:03

Offensive or Inappropriate?

Newsletter Sign Up
 
Have your say Sign up to the weekly news
update

Latest stories
 

 
Internal links
 
The Jury
 

Should the government now step in to force energy companies to cut their prices?

95%
5%