Transport ‘laughing stock’

Closing the Oldham loop line for Metrolink improvements will make the area the laughing stock of Europe, says Euro-MP Chris Davies.

He was reacting to news that hopes of the trams running into Oldham town centre were finally dashed when Greater Manchester council leaders placed the scheme at the bottom of priorities after the collapse of the Transport Innovation Scheme.

The North-West Liberal Democrat Euro-MP added: “Even though train services on the Oldham loop are the best they have ever been, there has been no effort to promote their use.

“The first step should be to cancel plans to close the railway for the best part of three years. A delay of such length for a simple task is ridiculous and makes us the laughing stock of Europe.

“Next we should campaign for the building of a new station close to the King Street roundabout to serve Oldham town centre.

“Finally, trams and buses must be able to connect at Mumps. Other countries provide real integrated public transport. We should no longer accept failure in Britain.”

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities decided on Friday to make a Metrolink extension into Rochdale and lines to Ashton, East Didsbury and Manchester Airport, their top priorities.