Metrolink News - Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Transport

Date published: 25/10/2005

The Secretary of State for Transport, Alistair Darling, visited Manchester on Friday 21 October to discuss the city region’s transport vision for the next 15 years.
 
He met Leaders of the Greater Manchester authorities, Lord Peter Smith, Leader of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities and Councillor Roger Jones, Chair of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority. 

The Secretary of State also experienced for himself key features of the city’s transport system, including Metrolink, Piccadilly Rail Station and the free city centre Metroshuttle bus network.

The Greater Manchester Leaders explained their vision for the growth of the city region’s economy and the vital role which a high quality, integrated local transport network would play in achieving this.
 
They briefed the Secretary of State on the key components of the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Strategy, which underpins Greater Manchester’s objectives to tackle the worklessness agenda by bringing people to where the jobs are. 

They also set out for him their priorities for the first five years, which include a major focus on four key transport corridors, which includes the Manchester – Failsworth – Oldham – Shaw – Rochdale corridor, taking in the future Metrolink extensions. 

There are plans to establish ‘corridor partnerships’ on these routes so that all key stakeholders are involved in the development and delivery of integrated transport plans that will serve the communities and regeneration areas within the corridors.

Lord Peter Smith said: “I’m delighted that we have had this opportunity to meet with the Transport Secretary to discuss our exciting plans for the future. Public transport will play a key part in Greater Manchester’s continued economic success.

“We want to create a transport system for the two and a half million people who live and work in Greater Manchester that will make it a world class city region at the heart of a thriving North.”

Councillor Roger Jones added: “I’m grateful to Alistair Darling for taking the time to come to Manchester today to see our public transport system in action and to hear about our plans for the future – including our programme for the expansion of our successful Metrolink network.

“I’m pleased that the Secretary of State today committed himself to working with us in bringing these plans to fruition and in helping us to deliver our vision for public transport across Greater Manchester. We must provide a real alternative for car users and vital transport links for those without the choice. I feel we have made real progress today and I am confident that the dialogue we have started will continue.”

Greater Manchester’s five year Integrated Transport Strategy, which has at its heart the delivery of future extensions to the Metrolink system, was submitted to the Government in April this year.

It includes a detailed strategy for the funding and development of Metrolink linked to the development of integrated transport plans for those corridors.