Metrolink expansion to go ahead
After a lot of debate, Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander recently announced that the first phase of the long-planned expansion to the Manchester Metrolink is finally to go ahead.
The service, which currently serves as a fast and efficient transport link between several regions of Greater Manchester, will have three new lines added to Rochdale rail station, Droylsden in Tameside and St Werburgh's Road in south Manchester.
The decision comes after a debate taking place over two years. After initial Government enthusiasm, plans for the extension were scrapped because of the prohibitive cost. Advocates of the expanded service, however, have always said that any costs incurred by the decision to extend the Metrolink service would be more than made up for in benefits to the regions’ economy through job creation.
The construction of the rail links is expected to begin in 2008, with a projected completion date of 2010. It will be funded with a £520 million fund from the Government and a £300 million loan.
Transport executives are now in the process of finding companies and contractors to carry out the work involved in the extension. They are also looking ahead to phase 3b, which, if the bid is successful, will see services to the town centres of Oldham and Rochdale town centres, as well as to Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury and Manchester Airport. If the bid is successful Manchester will host one of the most sophisticated public transport networks in the country.
It is hoped that the extended service will make life easier for residents and commuters all across the Greater Manchester area. Councillor Andrew Fender, the Manchester spokesperson for the Authority, said: "Metrolink has already given Manchester a huge social and economic boost and the expansion of the network will play a vital role in the continued regeneration of the region."
After a lot of debate, Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander recently announced that the first phase of the long-planned expansion to the Manchester Metrolink is finally to go ahead.
The service, which currently serves as a fast and efficient transport link between several regions of Greater Manchester, will have three new lines added to Rochdale rail station, Droylsden in Tameside and St Werburgh's Road in south Manchester.
The decision comes after a debate taking place over two years. After initial Government enthusiasm, plans for the extension were scrapped because of the prohibitive cost. Advocates of the expanded service, however, have always said that any costs incurred by the decision to extend the Metrolink service would be more than made up for in benefits to the regions’ economy through job creation.
The construction of the rail links is expected to begin in 2008, with a projected completion date of 2010. It will be funded with a £520 million fund from the Government and a £300 million loan.
Transport executives are now in the process of finding companies and contractors to carry out the work involved in the extension. They are also looking ahead to phase 3b, which, if the bid is successful, will see services to the town centres of Oldham and Rochdale town centres, as well as to Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury and Manchester Airport. If the bid is successful Manchester will host one of the most sophisticated public transport networks in the country.
It is hoped that the extended service will make life easier for residents and commuters all across the Greater Manchester area. Councillor Andrew Fender, the Manchester spokesperson for the Authority, said: "Metrolink has already given Manchester a huge social and economic boost and the expansion of the network will play a vital role in the continued regeneration of the region."
Author: Richard Millington
Manchester iJourno group
posted by iJourno at 10:14 am
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