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PROTEST: Campaigners made themselves heard
PROTEST: Campaigners made themselves heard

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Metrolink's tidal wave of support

Clarissa Satchell
18/ 9/2004

TRANSPORT chiefs say they have been `overwhelmed' by unprecedented support for the M.E.N. Metrolink campaign.

At a meeting of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, members praised the public for supporting the `Get Back on Track' campaign, launched by the M.E.N. to save plans for a massive expansion of the tram network, which the government has said will not go ahead. t

Authority chairman Coun Roger Jonessaid: "This is possibly the most hostile reaction to a government decision which Ihave witnessed.

"The support shown by local communities, the private and public sectors, local media, MPs and the travelling public has been overwhelming."

The campaign moves to London next week, when a high-level delegation, including the M.E.N., members of the public, business community and MPs, presents all the comments to the Prime Minister.

Later this month, a revised case for Metrolink will be submitted to the government.

Regeneration

The proposals will give extra evidence about Metrolink's importance as the basis for an integrated and efficient public transport network. And they will show the scale of lost investment, jobs and regeneration.

The proposals could also include leasing trams instead of buying them, and a plan for the Passenger Transport Executive to take on more of the risk for the project.

Coun Jones added: "Metrolink is not only a proven success, but is the most cost effective way of . . . reducing congestion and, vitally, of underpinning and supporting economic growth throughout Greater Manchester.

"I am confident that the revised submission will make the best possible case for extending the system.

"Taken together with the problems that will arise if we delay Metrolink Phase Three any further, I am sure it will demonstrate the futility in not allowing the project to go ahead."

Following a meeting between 21 Greater Manchester MPs with , Tony Blair and Transport Secretary Alistair Darling earlier this week, a working group is being set up to discuss ways to cut the cost of the scheme.

Withington MP Keith Bradley will represent the MPs at the meetings, which will start with talks with civil servants next Tuesday.

Should the Metrolink expansion scheme get the go-ahead?


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Most recent 1 of 1 user comments

   The Goverment want us to use the public transport instead of our cars. How can we do this when they take the public transport away from us? They have also cut down on the number of buses.
justine davies, moston
18/09/2004 at 15:00

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