DEAR Prime Minister, the decision by your transport secretary to cancel the funding for the expansion of Greater Manchester's Metrolink tram system has caused outrage across this region.

After promises by the deputy prime minister and the transport secretary himself that Government cash would be provided, we are now left with no coherent transport strategy for this area.

This system is popular, well used, and it is vital to the growth of the conurbation. Without its growth, Greater Manchester is handicapped in its economic expansion.

Integrated transport cannot happen without it. The communities of Rochdale, Oldham, Ashton under Lyne, and Wythenshawe, which were expecting the expansion, have been badly let down.

There is real anger here. The clearest example of this was the decision by Manchester's Labour controlled council to call for the resignation or sacking of Alistair Darling.

When you officially opened the Eccles Metrolink line back in 1999 you described the light rail system as " exactly the kind of infrastructure project we need". So, why have those words not been backed by the investment promised?

Promised

The Department of Transport says the project does not meet its criteria because of escalating cost, yet at the same time pours millions into the transport infrastructure of the South East - admitting there are still funding challenges there.

We cannot help but feel the money promised to us has gone into the huge hole in the heavy rail budget.

Every cost-benefit analysis done by local transport officials has come out positive. The National Audit Office report was positive about Metrolink.

Over '200m has already been spent, homes compulsorily purchased, tunnels built and preparation works completed. Is this money to be wasted?

This newspaper campaigned hard for the Big Bang expansion and we were proud on behalf of our readers when we thought it had succeeded.

Now, we shall campaign just as hard to get this scheme back on track. Business leaders and local politicians are backing us all the way and today Manchester's Chamber of Commerce was meeting to discuss its campaign strategy joined with ours.

We are encouraging all our readers to petition you with their views. Judging by the response to our stories so far, you should expect a heavy postbag.

This decision is wrong and I urge you on behalf of Greater Manchester to reverse it.