Stockport Labour Group has challenged Liberal Democrat-run Stockport Council on their inadequate efforts to deliver Metrolink services to the borough.
Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick, Labour Group Transport Spokesperson, said:
“Approaching 30 million passenger journeys are now being made each year by Metrolink, but Stockport is consistently missing out on the economic boost that an extension to our borough would provide.
“Liberal Democrats have led the Council for the last 18 years, stretching back all the way to 1997. It is not a coincidence that Stockport is now one of only 3 Greater Manchester Local Authorities yet to benefit from this new capacity and high quality service.
“Stockport is in danger of being left behind.”
The Council published a new Rail Strategy in January 2015 which included a range of potential routes, but this still didn’t include a clear plan for the delivery of any of these as a priority.
There is still no target date for the arrival of Metrolink to Stockport and the strategy was produced with little consultation with members of the public or opposition Councillors.
Cllr Fitzpatrick added:
“Metrolink began operating back in April 1992, but Stockport is still waiting. The Liberal Democrats have run Stockport Council for almost 2 decades and residents will rightly be asking where the evidence of progress is.
“Commissioning another report just won’t cut it; the Lib Dems should have been taking practical steps to build a persuasive business case years ago.”
Labour support increased investment in our local transport infrastructure, arguing that as a large proportion of residents commute to neighbouring Manchester, Trafford and Tameside each day, and many even further afield, that Stockport should be a priority.
The growth of Metrolink is a central part of that vision and a Labour-run Council would work constructively with Transport for Greater Manchester to deliver it.
Metrolink currently operates 7 lines across Greater Manchester, linking 92 tram/light rail stations from Manchester City Centre with termini at Bury, Altrincham, Eccles, Rochdale, Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester Airport and East Didsbury.