GREATER Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is calling for plans to bring to Metrolink to Stockport to be fast-tracked.
He is urging the government to work with the town’s new Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) to get the extension off the drawing board so that trams will be running by the end of the decade.
The mayor made the call as he announced former head of the civil service Lord Bob Kerslake will chair the MDC.
During the general election campaign Transport Secretary Grant Shapps committed to bringing Metrolink to Stockport.
The mayor welcomed the commitment but reiterated that government must assist both with the powers and funding required.
He said: “Stockport is already leading the way nationally on town centre regeneration.
“The fact that a former head of the UK civil service has agreed to Chair the Stockport MDC is a sure sign of the confidence in Stockport Council’s vision for the town.
“Lord Kerslake’s appointment is a major coup and we hope he will now help us develop a credible plan to bring Metrolink to the new interchange.”
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Stockport Council will now progress with the Business Case needed to extend Metrolink from East Didsbury to Stockport town centre.
Mr Burnham added: “During the election campaign, the Transport Secretary committed to bringing Metrolink to Stockport and we stand ready to make it happen quickly.”
It is first time anywhere in the country that an MDC is being used to regenerate a town centre.
The pace of change is already under way in Stockport, including plans to create a new urban village with up to 3,500 new homes and up to 1,000,000 sq.ft of employment floor space.
Stockport Council leader Elise Wilson, pictured with the mayor, said: “The Mayoral Development Corporation will allow us to accelerate regeneration and we’re keen to extend Metrolink from the existing East Didsbury line to the new Stockport Interchange as quickly as possible.
“It also builds on plans for a sustainable new community as part of Greater Manchester’s newest, coolest, greenest urban neighbourhood.”