Lib Dem MP for Withington John Leech has welcomed the government announcement today confirming the Metrolink extension to Ashton under Lyne and Didsbury.

The two lines were under review after the Treasury announced it would look at a list of projects that Labour had previously promised in a pre-election spending spree. However the Department of Transport has now confirmed the new route through East Didsbury and Ashton-under-Lyne will receive its planned funding.

Having lobbied for extensions to the Metrolink network since his election in 2005, John said, “I have been pushing the government for a positive decision on the future of the Metrolink extension and I am delighted they have finally confirmed the decision to give it the go-ahead.”

He also said, “The extension was one project that was never really under threat, as it ticked all the boxes in terms of creating jobs and economic value to the area.”