In the run-up to a General Election, politicians make a lot of promises. You can see why they do this, as they hope that making outlandish claims will stick in the minds of people as they go to vote. However, there is a growing need for politicians and political leaders to be accountable for their claims. With the Conservative Government holding a massive majority after the Elections, there is no denying they have considerable power, but they should still face great scrutiny over their claims.
Just before the voting started, the Conservative Party said £4.2 billion would be made available for public transport outside of London. It was believed that this would include a new light rail network for West Yorkshire, while Stockport and Bolton would benefit from tramlines. It was also intimated there would be additional tram extensions in the north of the country, and the midlands.
At least no transport promises were put on a bus
While Greater Manchester has held greater control of transport decisions in recent times, the Conservative Party were insistent they had the right to make these announcements. This was seen in Bolton where Grant Schapps was insistent that the town would receive a tram, even though many stated this wasn’t for his party to decide.
In all likelihood, areas of the country which have a Mayor, such as Greater Manchester, it is the local authority who calls the shots on public transport spending. It is extremely unlikely that Bolton will be the beneficiary of a tram link, but Stockport is a different matter. If there is transport money for Greater Manchester, certain projects are more likely than others.
The Stockport tram link discussion won’t go away
An airport line loop and a tram to Stockport are high on the agenda, and if any new projects take place, these are more likely than others. However, they will not be cheap to implement, and even if the project is green-lit, it is unlikely to start any time soon. Therefore, while there was a lot of positive talk regarding transport improvements in Stockport and Greater Manchester before the Election, it is likely this chatter will calm down when we move into 2020.
While there is convenient transport links between Stockport and the heart of Manchester, a tram line would join the dots along the way. Anything which adds more reasons to enjoy life in Stockport should be pursued by the local authority, and the tram project should remain on the agenda.
With convenient transport links to the centre of Manchester, and significant developments taking place, Stockport is the ideal place to buy, live or invest. As Stockport property specialists, we want to ensure you stay in touch with the latest property news. If you are looking for assistance in this area, give Spencer Harvey a call on 0161 480 8888 or send us an email at info@spencerharvey.co.uk. For a free valuation please visit: https://www.spencerharvey.co.uk/valuation-enquiry.html