Leaders rally to keep trams on track

TRAMS hope: not dead yet

Greater Manchester’s transport leaders have met with Government ministers and MPs to discuss the future of the region’s buses, train and trams, after local people voted down the congestion charge.

Leading members of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) invited the region’s MPs to a Westminster event.More than a dozen MPs — including three ministers — attended.

Councillor Matt Colledge, authority chairman said: “I was impressed by the strong determination from all sides of the debate and all the political parties to understand how we can work together effectively to get major investment in our public transport back on track.

“This is just the start. There will be further meetings with MPs in the coming days and at the meeting it was agreed to send a delegation to meet with the Secretary of State for Transport, Geoff Hoon.”