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Merseytram and Manchester Metrolink go ahead: The British government's announcement of local transport plan spending allocations for 2003/4 contains good news for light rail promoters in Liverpool and Greater Manchester, with funding allocations of GBP170 million and GBP520 million respectively. The grant to the Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority will permit work to go ahead on Merseytram line 1 between Liverpool City Centre and Kirkby. Merseytravel will now be seeking legal approval for the scheme under the Transport & Works Act.

The funding for Greater Manchester PTA to expand the successful Metrolink light rail scheme will permit construction to start on three new lines: to Oldham and Rochdale; to Ashton-under-Lyne; and to Wythenshawe and Manchester Airport.

Other British light rail schemes which have already received promises of funding are:

• Nottingham (under construction);
• Leeds (tenders being evaluated);
• South Hampshire (tenders about to be received)
• Midland Metro expansion (TWA procedures about to start)
• Bristol and South Gloucestershire (final scheme details under preparation).

Other Items: As well as the major announcements above there were some other items included in the regional transport settlements. These included:

• Tyne & Wear - Metro Track Dualling, South Tyneside
• Leeds - GBP12m for Leeds Supertram
• Nottingham - Encouragement for processing Lines 2 & 3
• Leicester - Encouragement for studying tram system

12 December 2002

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