1995-07-13 Norris gives green light to Midland Metro (Department of Transport)

1995-05-30 Steven Norris launches competition for Croydon Tramlink (Department of Transport)

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date 16 August 1995
source Department of Transport
type Press release

note 256

The public inquiry into proposals to extend the Manchester Metrolink
light rapid transit system to Eccles Town Centre from Salford Quays
will begin on Tuesday 24 October 1995 at 10am. This was announced
today by Steven Norris, Minister for Local Transport.

The inquiry will be conducted by Mr R G Brown BA CEng FICE MRTPI,
Planning Inspector, at the Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess Street,
Manchester M1 6DD. Mr Brown will make a report to the Secretary of
State on whether or not the order should be made. The inquiry is
expected to last between two and four weeks.

Mr Brown has decided that a pre-inquiry meeting, principally to
discuss the procedural arrangements for the inquiry, will also be
held at the Mechanics Institute on Tuesday 12 September beginning at
10.00am.

The application for the order under section 1 of the Transport and
Works Act 1992 in respect of these proposals was submitted by the
Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive on 12 April this
year.

The Secretary of State for Transport will consider the Inspector's
report and is expected to make his decision by Autumn 1996.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. Part 1 of the Transport and Works Act 1992, which came into force
in January 1993, established a new system for considering and
approving railway, tramway and other development schemes that had
previously been subject to private Bill procedure. The new
procedures mean that such schemes can be authorised by Ministerial
order instead of by an Act of Parliament.

2. The existing Greater Manchester light rail system, known as
Metrolink, is 19.2 miles (30.9 km) long and runs between Bury to the
North and Altrincham to the South. The system is owned by Greater
Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) but is operated by
Greater Manchester Metro Limited, which is itself owned by a private
sector consortium, the GMA group, comprising GEC-Alsthom, Mowlem,
AMEC, Greater Manchester Roadcar Co. Ltd and Greater Manchester PTE.

3. The proposal in this application is for an extension to the
Metrolink system from Broadway at Salford Quays to Eccles Town Centre
and is approximately 3.3 km in length. It also includes a 0.5 km
spur from Broadway to the proposed Lowry Centre. (The link between
Salford Quays and the existing system was authorised by Parliament in
1990 but has not yet been built.) The project will involve the
carrying out of street works, the installation of overhead wires, the
stopping up of certain streets and other related works. The cost of
the proposals is estimated at #35.3 million. If the Secretary of
State gives his approval, the construction of the extension would
take about two years.

4. The procedure for inquiries are set out in the Transport and Works
(Inquiries Procedure) Rules 1992 (S.I. 1992 No. 2817). The Rules
provide a time table for the pre-inquiry stages and require those who
wish to present oral evidence to the inquiry to make available
details of their evidence to other parties to the inquiry before it
opens.

5. The inquiry is to be held at the Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess
Street, Manchester M1 6DD and will begin on Tuesday 24

October at 10.00am. The pre-inquiry meeting will also be held at the
Mechanics Institute on Tuesday 12 September at 10.00 am. The
Department will inform the GMPTE and all the objectors individually
of these arrangements.

6. The purpose of a pre-inquiry meeting is principally to discuss the
practical arrangements for the inquiry, to set an inquiry programme
and to clarify the scope of the inquiry. This is not an occasion to
discuss the merits of the proposals in question.

7. A public inquiry into the proposed extension of the Metrolink
system from Trafford Bar to Manchester Airport, including a loop back
to Southmoor Road via Wythenshawe, has been taking place also at the
Mechanics Institute. The inquiry was adjourned on 10 August and will
reconvene on Thursday 21 September. This application was submitted
to the Secretary of State by the GMPTE on 28 October last year. The
Secretary of State is expected to make his decision on whether this
order should be made by late 1996.

8. Details of the proposed Metrolink extension to Eccles can be
obtained from the GMPTE, 9 Portland Street, Piccadilly Gardens,
Manchester M60 1HX or their Parliamentary Agents, Messrs Dyson Bell
Martin, 1 Dean Farrar Street, Westminster, London SW1H 0DY.

# = pounds sterling

Railhub Archive ::: 1995-08-16 DoT-001