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Manchester ARTICLES

Manchester Gets Metrolink Go-ahead

16th May 2008

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has announced that the government will put £244 million towards the £382 million cost of Manchester’s Metrolink extension scheme. This means that the system’s long-awaited expansion can finally go-ahead.

Plans to extend the Metrolink network throughout Manchester were withdrawn by the government in 2004 due to spiralling costs. However, now funding has been approved, Metrolink lines from the city centre will be extended north, east and south to Rochdale railway station, Chorlton and Droylsden. Overall, these extensions are estimated to boost the number of Metrolink passengers by 50% with 10 million journeys being taken per year by 2012.

Ms Kelly, who is MP for Bolton West, said that Metrolink is important to the the city of Manchester. She said: "Metrolink has been at the heart of Greater Manchester's transport system for more than a decade. Carrying 20 million passengers a year, it has been providing an excellent service to local residents and commuters.”

She also added: “Giving final approval to these plans reflects the Government's commitment to providing convenient, reliable and comfortable public transport. This ensures people have a real alternative to using their cars, and supports my aim to tackle congestion and reduce harmful pollution.”

The government’s £244 million investment in the Metrolink is the final part of a £520 million lump sum that was pledged by the government in 2004 for improvements to public transport in Greater Manchester.

Officials are still considering a separate bid for £1.2 billion of funding from the transport innovation fund, which would make the Metrolink network even bigger. The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) has said that it wants the grant, as well as permission to borrow a further £1.8 billion in return for their introducing a congestion charge of up to £5 per day.

It is thought that the Metrolink extension will be completed by 2012.

Source:

BBC