GREATER Manchester MPs today made a dramatic breakthrough in the battle to save the Metrolink extension.
After a Commons summit with 21 local MPs, Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Transport Secretary Alistair Darling it was announced that a special working party was to be set up to look at the costs of the scheme.
The Withington MP Keith Bradley is to represent the MPs on the working party, which will also include transport officials and officers from the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive.
The MPs, all backing the MEN's Back On Track campaign to persuade the government to reverse its decision not to back the extensions to Oldham and Rochdale, south Manchester and Ashton, met the Prime Minister after his weekly Question Time.
With the echo of pro-hunt protesters ringing in their ears the MPs sought to persuade Mr Blair that the extension of Metrolink was crucial to Greater Manchester.
The government had promised '520m for the "big bang" scheme, of which '200m has already been spent. But the Transport Secretary, who has the ear of Chancellor Gordon Brown, said the costs were escalating to as much as '900m and he could not accept it.
But today Mr Blair and Mr Darling agreed to set up a working party, which will start work within days, and which will discuss the affordability of the scheme.
Affordability
Mr Bradley said after the high-powered meeting that the government was in favour of light rail in principle and agreed that Metrolink had been a success, but were concerned about the cost.
"The decision not to give the extensions the go-ahead now was not a NO, it was more to do with affordability and value for money and we will now sit down and consider the issues," said Mr Bradley.
"We made it clear to the Prime Minister that the issues were about regeneration, improvement to the environment jobs and the overall infrastructure of Greater Manchester - all issues to which the extensions are absolutely crucial."
Mr Bradley said the Prime Minister clearly understood the issues: "He supported this process and he will, I'm sure, remain engaged in it while we undertake this review."
The Withington MP was asked whether he believed that after their discussions the big bang scheme would get the green light.
"We are sitting down to look at all the issues surrounding all the extensions, in terms of affordability and value for money. That's our starting point," said Mr Bradley.
There were several ministers at the meeting, including Ivan Lewis, MP for Bury South and Education Minister, Home Office Minister Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East), Treasury Minister Ruth Kelly (Bolton West), and Phil Woolas (Oldham East and Saddleworth), who is the deputy leader of the Commons.
Should the Metrolink expansion get the go-ahead? Have your say.
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Why is it that whenever politicians don't want to make a decision and take responsibility for their actions, they set up a working party?
How much is this working party going to cost? How long with this "party" be allows to "work" before making a decision (or set up another sub-working party to do something else)? Is it another case of people justifying their own positions??
Why don't they just put up and shut up. Honour their commitments, provide the money that was promised, stop wasting time and resources and allow the true professionals to deliver the Metrolink extension!
It is great that there may be some light at the end of the Tunnel for the Metrolink extensions after talks with Top Ministers. But what a fiasco that we are left sitting here wondering wehether we will get any crumbs from Tony Blair's table.
What are we doing talking about this AFTER the decision had been made to 'pull' the project? If there are good arguments available nowfor keeping the project going, how come Aliastair Darling wasn't made aware of these beforehand? Do the government not talk to local MPs, especially the ones who are Ministers in other departments, before they make these monumental decisions? Are the MPs just useless?
I see the latest White Elephant, the 'Earth Lihfe' centre, hasjust crashed, to join the Millenium Dome in a list of multimillion pound failures paid from out of a public purse. Why is it that huge sums can be wasted on these pet projects when the most important things are allowed to rot. The present Oldham to Manchester Railway line is an utter disgrace and will have to close down soon unless a small fortune is spent on it. We need a firm decision sooner rather than later.
Metrolink is crucial to manchesters infastructure after all the money already spent not to mention all the upheaval of local people who have had to move home to accomodate the extension. Lets get back on track not give our money to London for a rail link that may be needed in years to come which will only be used for 2 weeks IF the capital is awarded the Games.
Wake up Darling and do the job you were elected to do serve the people in this country no more side stepping or moving funds already allocated elsewhere we are sick of MPs moving the goal posts time after time.
The news was devastating that no metrolink was coming to Rochdale after we had been looking forward to the prospect for years. It not only makes economical sense but enviromental sense to continue with the project. The benefits to local business and communities will be tremendous. At the moment it feels like another dark cloud as settled over the North West.
We must consider the long term picture. Transport problems will increase with time. Travellers, especially to work must be given an alternative to the car or else we will get completely chocked up bothways. If the Metrolink is not started now the cost will rise still further year by year.
I shall be raising the issue on my broadcast on Wythenshawe FM this week and every week at 1200 each Thursday for 2 hours.
Bill Henderson