Plans for a second city centre tram crossing in Manchester were this week being studied by government officials.
A business case has been sent for approval to the Department for Transport (DfT) for a second line to cope with the hundreds of extra services which will cross the city centre every day when new extensions are built.
The new city centre line is being studied by government experts alongside the line to Manchester Airport, although the two are being considered separately.
Both are included in the £1.5bn plan B scheme, which has replaced the more ambitious £3bn Transport Innovation Fund proposals.
News that the plans have gone to the DfT were revealed by GMPTE chief executive, David Leather, to a meeting of Greater Manchester’s council leaders.
Details of a building programme, he said, were likely to be ready by the autumn.
The airport line – which will be built with a £50M contribution from Manchester Airport – is far in advance, having already gained approval for the route after a public inquiry under the Transport and Works Act. That process has yet to begin for the city centre line.
Councillor Whitmore said: ‘We are probably looking at 2014 or 2015 – but in transport terms, that is not a long time.’
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