Transport bosses celebrate trams

Reporter: by ALAN SALTER
Date online: 14/05/2009

Council leader Howard Sykes celebrated the rescue of the Oldham town centre Metrolink tram scheme with the men at the top — Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon and Lord Peter Smith, leader of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities.

The Chronicle reported on Monday that the route through the centre of the town had failed to make a list of priorities of transport projects which would survive the massive ‘NO’ vote to congestion charging across Greater Manchester last December.

But four days of intense behind-the-scenes talks by Councillor Sykes, chief executive Charlie Parker and transport spokesman, Councillor Richard Knowles, persuaded fellow leaders in Greater Manchester to accept the merit of Oldham’s case.

After joining Mr Hoon in Manchester’s St Peter’s Square, Councillor Sykes said: “We got this decision with a lot of conversations to make sure that people have a clear understanding of the importance of the scheme to us, a slightly different way of funding it, and the decision of all my fellow politicians to do something we can all support.”

Work on converting the Oldham loop line to Metrolink has already begun and trains will stop running this autumn. But hopes that trams would enter the heart of Oldham with new stops at Westwood, King Street, and Union Street had appeared doomed.

Mr Hoon, who had previously said that Greater Manchester could expect no reward for running the Transport Innovation Fund referendum, said yesterday: “This is a completely new approach.

“We looked at new ways at paying for it and I am pleased and proud of the work that is being done here.

“What is good for Greater Manchester is good for the whole region.”

The whole package, which could create 21,000 jobs, will see all but the Trafford Centre Metrolink extension built and will be financed by borrowing against small increases in council tax — Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority’s levy will go up by 3 per cent for the next six years raising the council tax by about £2 a year — and the government bringing forward the regional fund allocation.

And Greater Manchester’s 10 councils have agreed to hand over 40 per cent of the money they receive individually for transport.

Manchester Airport will contribute and revenue from Metrolink operations will also be used. The Government will provide around £165m for the Stockport by-pass.

Councillor Sykes added: “This is just so important for Oldham, not just for the retail centre — there is also the question of the construction jobs it will bring so this scheme is good news on different levels.”




Time to question officials



South Chadderton residents can talk to Metrolink officials about bringing trams to Oldham next week.



An information drop-in session and exhibition will be held at Coalshaw Green Park Pavilion on Wednesday from 2-8pm.

The Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive is overseeing a £600 million expansion of the Metrolink network.

The expansion also includes new lines to Droylsden, Chorlton and MediaCityUK in Salford.

Representatives of GMPTE and MPact-Thales — the consortium appointed to design, build and maintain the new lines — will be available to speak to people about the plans, including the proposals for the South Chadderton stop.

To find out more call the Metrolink public liaison team on 0161 244 1555, email future metrolink@gmpte.gov.uk or visit www.gmpte.com/futuremetrolink .