Manchester Metrolink gets extensions go-ahead

Manchester Metrolink's planned extensions to the east and south of the city have survived government cuts.

The Department of Transport has confirmed the new routes to East Didsbury and Ashton-under-Lyne will receive their planned funding.

The government is expected to provide £85m of the £170m cost with the remainder coming from the Greater Manchester Transport Fund.

Eight extra trams and two new park-and-ride sites will be provided.

Andrew Gwynne, Labour MP for Denton and Reddish, said: "Given that substantial public funds had already been spent in preparing the route, it would have been a scandal if the line had been scrapped.

"This will be a real benefit to local people and improve the local transport network."

Mr Gwynne said that the extension to Ashton-under-Lyne will also help safeguard 1,768 jobs created under the Tameside Economic Zone, as companies have located to the area because of the planned Metrolink.