Finance Minister backs light rail

TramForward is encouraged by the support given to light rail by Jesse Norman MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, in a House of Commons debate in Westminster Hall on Wednesday 25th November.
Mr Norman was replying to a question from James Grundy MP (Leigh Conservative), a member of the All Party Parliamentary Light Rail Group, about connecting Leigh to Greater Manchester’s Metrolink system. Mr Grundy hoped that, in the fullness of time, the Leigh guided busway system could be upgraded to a Public Transport Pathway including a light rail link. He cited evidence of the greater ability of light rail to persuade motorists out of their cars as well as the environmental gains from new technology such as hydrogen powered light rail.
Mr Norman replied that it was absolutely right to pick up light rail, which was inexpensive compared with heavy rail and could lead to a beautiful new industry for the UK to develop. He looked forward to hearing more about the proposal.
Jim Harkins, Chairman of the LRTA Campaigns Group, said “The Minister was very positive about light rail when he was at the Department for Transport and it is encouraging to hear the same sentiments now he is at the Treasury.”