PLANS to renovate Altrincham’s public transport hub ONLY if the congestion charge goes ahead have been dubbed ‘blackmail’.

Designs for the new interchange, which will see the bus, tram and train stations given a makeover and the introduction of a café and commuter lounge, received their first public airing this week.

But while the plans have been welcomed by political leaders and community campaigners, some are fuming after it was revealed the development would only go ahead as part of the controversial Transport Innovation Fund bid (TIF).

The Government has pledged to give £1.5bn to improve public transport under the scheme, along with a further £1.2bn in loans, which must be repaid using cash raised by a congestion charge.

A spokesman for the TIF bid told the Metro News: "No further funding reserves have been identified for improvements to the Altrincham Interchange."

But Trafford politicians and campaigners say it is unfair to link the interchange improvements to the TIF bid, which would see motorists pay to go in and out of the city during peak hours, as there had been calls for change long before the C-charge was even considered as an option for Greater Manchester.

The leader of Trafford Council, Councillor Susan Williams, said: "The plan to improve the interchange should not be used as a form of blackmail to get us to accept the congestion charge.

"The current interchange is an example of fabulous architecture but it is tired looking.

"We have been involved in a campaign calling for improvements to the interchange for some time and I don’t see why we should have to have our arms twisted around our backs to make this happen."

Her thoughts were echoed by Harry Scholar, chairman of Altrincham and Bowdon Civic Society, who said: "It’s blackmail – what they’re saying is if you don’t do this you won’t get this.

"The congestion charge and the improvements in Altrincham should be kept as two completely different schemes."

He added he was an opponent of the C-charge while other civic society members were in favour.

Altrincham MP Graham Brady said he had been working with the council, groups like the Friends of Altrincham Interchange and transport bosses to "push for necessary improvements."

He supported, for example, a campaign that eventually led to the installation of a new canopy at one of the train station’s platforms.

But previous plans to renovate the whole interchange drawn up by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive failed to gain financial support from the government.

Mr Brady said: "I am delighted that the new proposal would preserve the Victorian station buildings – something that I and community groups have pressed for from the start. It would be absurd, however, if the creation of a decent transport hub for Altrincham were made dependent on the outcome of a highly controversial congestion charge proposal in Manchester.

"Altrincham Interchange is in a disgraceful condition and local taxpayers have a right to expect that it will be improved whether or not the new tax on motorists is introduced."

The investment in Altrincham’s interchange has been hailed an "attractive, state-of-the-art transport hub that will help drive the regeneration of the town" by Lord Peter Jones of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA.)

The plans include a café, newsagent, travel shop and passenger lounge, new canopies over train platforms – though their popular Victorian features will remain – information screens for bus, tram and train services and a new footbridge. If successful, the bid would also provide more park and ride facilities, longer trains, more peak time trams and yellow school buses.

Lord Peter said: "TIF will have a significant, positive impact on businesses, families and commuters in Altrincham, delivering more trains at peak times and a far more integrated bus service starting earlier and finishing later.

"The new interchange will also allow for far more integration between trains, buses and trams. The transformation of the station will not only enhance the landscape with attractive, modernised facilities but it will also be a key driver in the regeneration of the town."

A public consultation about the TIF package is currently underway, with a mobile exhibition about the plans coming to Altrincham on September 30. The 10 councils that make up AGMA are due to hold a referendum on the c-charge later this year. For more information visit www.gmfuturetransport.co.uk.

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