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![]() Railhub Archive | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Department of TransportWatts announces planning approval for return of trams to Eccles
for an extension to the Manchester Metrolink from Salford Quays to Eccles Town Centre. Construction of the extension will now depend on funds becoming available. The extension of the successful Metrolink system would provide direct services between Eccles, Weaste, Salford Quays and central Manchester, including a link to the proposed Lowry Centre for Visual and Performing Arts. The scheme was examined at a public inquiry last October and the Secretary of State has accepted the Inspector's conclusion that the extension to Eccles would bring significant regeneration, environmental and public transport improvements. He has therefore decided to make an Order under the Transport and Works Act 1992 to authorise the scheme. In welcoming this decision, John Watts said: "The decision to give powers for the Eccles extension opens up another opportunity for the public and private sectors to work together under Government's Private Finance Initiative." NOTES FOR EDITORS 1. Part I 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 an Order made by the Secretary of State instead of by an Act of Parliament. 2. The existing Greater Manchester light rail system, known as Metrolink, is 30.9 km (19.2 miles) 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 the GMPTE. 3. The GMPTE applied to the Secretary of State in April 1995 for powers to construct an extension to the Metrolink system from Broadway at Salford Quays to Eccles Town Centre - a distance of 3.3 km (about two miles) - and a 0.5 km (about 0.3 miles) 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 extension from the existing system to Eccles is estimated at #110 million. The construction of the extension would take about two years. 4. The GMPTE's application was considered at a public inquiry from 24 October to 2 November 1995 conducted by an independent Inspector, Mr R G Brown. None of those who had objected to the application appeared or were represented at the inquiry. In his Report to the Secretary of State, the Inspector concluded that the advantages of providing the Eccles extension were so overwhelming that this Order should be made. The Secretary of State has agreed with that recommendation. 5. Following the issuing today of the Secretary of State's decision letter, a notice of the decision will be published in the London Gazette. The Order will be formally made shortly after that, at which time a direction as to deemed planning permission will also be given by the Secretary of State to the GMPTE. 6. The GMPTE intends to implement this scheme and the Salford Quays extension as a single project under the Government's Private Finance Initiative. Funding is being sought from a combination of private sector contributions, an operator's concession payment and public grant. With the decision to authorise the Eccles extension, the GMPTE can now finalise its funding package and confirm its application for a grant from the Department of Transport as part of its 1997 Transport Policies and Programme bid. The decision on this will be announced towards the end of the year. 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, also took place last year. The Secretary of State is considering the Inspector's Report of that inquiry and hopes to make his decision on that application in October or November. 8. Further details of the 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
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