Government to blame for Metrolink Fiasco

Date published: 06/04/2005

Leader of Rochdale Council, Cllr. Paul Rowen has said that he is "not surprised in the least!" at a report which puts the blame for the Metrolink at the feet of the Government.  The report said, the way "Government Ministers dragged their feet was part of the reason for the spiralling costs."

The Commons Transport Committee said in the damning report, "Light rail schemes in the UK take between five and 15 years but a similar scheme in Lyon, France, took only fours years from inception to development.  It has taken longer for Phase Three of the Metrolink to get nowhere!"

Cllr. Paul Rowen said, "Public Transport users in Rochdale have been let down badly by this Labour Government.  This report is damning.  The reason that Alistair Darling gave to "scrap the Metrolink" was the huge increase in costs.  This report says his department is partly to blame for this - he should apologise to the people of Rochdale, the rest of Greater Manchester and commit to getting the Metrolink - Back on Track!  Everybody knows the huge benefits that Metrolink would bring to Rochdale and I am determined the Metrolink will kick-start the next chapter in the life of Rochdale"