Metroline extension announced

Date: 8/3/2010

A total of £120.9 million has been earmarked for a new project to extend the Manchester Metrolink to Ashton and East Didsbury, the Department for Transport has revealed.

Construction on extensions to Oldham, Rochdale and Chorlton is already underway, with £244 million of funding awarded in May 2008.

Once these extensions and the ones announced today are complete, the Metrolink system will double in capacity.

It is hoped the line extensions will benefit local businesses and create job opportunities.

Road congestion is also likely to be reduced along these routes following their completion, transport minister Sadiq Khan noted.

Construction works are to commence early next year.

It is hoped the East Didsbury line will be completed by summer 2013 and the Ashton line by winter 2013 - 2014.

Regional minister for the north west Phil Woolas commented on the extension: "Not only will it provide a more reliable, efficient and greener travelling experience for passengers from Ashton and Didsbury into the city centre, but the investment of over £120 million from government, in addition to the funding for extensions to Oldham, Rochdale and Chorlton already announced, reaffirms our commitment to a public transport system that will rival any in Europe."

Meanwhile work on a Borders Railway in Scotland was started last week, Transport Scotland reported.