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Blow to airport rail link hopes

David Ottewell
18/ 1/2005

CRUCIAL new train links to Manchester Airport have not been included in a blueprint for the future of rail in the north west.

The Strategic Rail Authority's secret masterplan for the region - which will set priorities for the next two decades - does not include new lines to and from the airport or any measures to ease clogged routes around Manchester.

Plans for a third rail platform at the airport have also been thrown into doubt.

Senior council officers who have seen draft proposals warn they are based on "very pessimistic" estimates of future passengers numbers.

The SRA is considering two options, a "core scenario" and a "progressive scenario". Neither includes the proposed new "western link" between the airport and Altrincham-Chester line, nor do they address the problems or the "Manchester hub", the clogged network around Piccadilly.

Better transport links have been seen as a vital foundation for Greater Manchester's economic expansion.

New rail links with the airport and an upgrade of the Manchester hub are key components of the Northern Way growth strategy, the blueprint for the future of northern cities championed by deputy prime minister John Prescott.

But the SRA's regional planning assessment, due to be published next year, could derail those plans. Draft conclusions have already been circulated among regional regeneration chiefs and have sparked thinly-veiled fury.

A report summarising the SRA's thinking has been drawn up by Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester city council.

It describes the draft conclusions as "very disappointing", adding: "In general terms it takes a very pessimistic view of the likely level of passenger growth and investment in the regions."

The report says the SRA's conclusions emphasise "the even greater need to ensure that the Metrolink Phase 3 extensions go ahead as soon as possible".

Sources close to the consultation say the SRA - which is due to be scrapped by the end of 2005 - was facing pressure from the Department for Transport not to spend any extra cash.

An SRA spokesman said: "The assessment for the north west is still in progress and we are in the process of considering comments from stakeholders."

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