Manchester gets Metrolink extensions
Today the government pledged £520m to Greater Manchester Public Transport Executive (GMPTE) allowing them to begin contractor bidding for the Phase III(a) extension to the tram network.
The extensions will enable the current network to be extended in three new directions to Rochdale, Droysden and Chorley. The Droysden line will extend the route through the current Piccadilly terminus out towards the East of Manchester, making that current stub line more relevant.
The Chorley extension is much shorter than expected, stopping short of Manchester Airport and Stockport as originally planned, however these could be funded by the government next year if they decided to inject a further £450m for Phase III(b). Plans for Phase III(b) will be submitted to the Department for Transport (DfT) in June 2007, with a final decision given in December 2007.
The DfT has stated that they want to see an active effort by Manchester City Council to tackle congestion that current plagues Manchester City centre during rush-hour. Recently, the tram network came to a holt because buses were stuck in traffic on Mosley street, which also serves as a major artery for Metrolink.
One scheme Manchester City Council are currently investigating to demonstrate their commitment to reducing congestion is the tried and tested congestion charging scheme, similar to the current scheme in London. This would have a two pronged advantage to the council, reducing traffic in the city centre and generating revenue for any future Metrolink extensions.
Either way, todays announcement by GMPTE and DfT is great news for us and Manchester residents.
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http://www.gmpte.com
http://www.metrolink.co.uk
http://www.dft.gov.uk/
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