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Last chance to make a protest

Peter Devine
9/ 9/2004

THE final push is on to gather in all petitions and signatures to our special forms by this Friday, 10 September, and get Metrolink back on track.

Judging by the number which have been arriving at our office at Wood Street, Stopfordians will not be happy until Transport Secretary Alistair Darling changes his mind on scrapping Phase 3.

Stockport Express editor Mandy Leigh said: "We are absolutely thrilled and delighted by the response of our readers to this most important issue.

"We are hoping very shortly to present all the signatures to Tony Blair at Downing Street, so this is the final chance for people to sign the petitions and send in the campaign coupons."

A representative from the Stockport Express will form part of a high-level delegation representing the public, business community, media and MPs, to present your comments, letters and pledges of support to the Prime Minister at Downing Street within the next week.

A further detailed submission of the scheme, its economic and regeneration benefits, and an alternative funding package for delivering it, will be delivered to the transport ministry later this month.

Petitions are still available in libraries in Marple, Edgeley, Hazel Grove, Bredbury, The Heatons, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport Central Library and Stockport Town Hall.

Meanwhile the leader of Greater Manchester's 6,500 chartered accountants Michael Colin is urging them to protest about the decision.

Mr Colin said failing to extend Metrolink was hopelessly short sighted because it would have a knock-on effect of making Greater Manchester less attractive to potential investors.

"It will mean more trouble on the already congested roads, delays in the delivery of goods and services adding to the costs that business and consumers have to meet," he said.

Published 8 September 2004