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Decision could cost 35,000 jobs

31/ 8/2004

THE decision to scrap the 'Big Bang' Metrolink expansion could cost the region 35,000 jobs.

Regeneration consultancy DTZ Pieda has calculated that without the new lines for the supertram system, the Greater Manchester economy will grow by around 60,000 jobs over the next 12 years.

But it predicts that the figure would have been more like 95,000 had phase three - extensions to Oldham and Rochdale, Ashton-under-Lyne and South Manchester - gone ahead.

It also claims that the viability of some of the current regeneration schemes is now under threat.

DTZ's director of economics, Stephen Lucas, said that he had been forced to adjust his original forecast for the area's economic growth following the unpopular decision of transport secretary Alistair Darling to scrap the £520M extension plans.

"It's going to be that much harder to recommend Manchester as an investment location to footloose corporates," he said.

Developers including Bellway Homes, Amec and Urban Splash are joining forces to campaign against the decision, alongside politicians of all parties and officials at Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive. They plan to meet in the next fortnight to discuss how best to persuade Mr Darling to back down on his refusal.

Published 1 September 2004