Andy Burnham says Bolton Metrolink a 'long term aspiration'

The long-debated proposal to extend the Metrolink to the borough appeared to hit the buffers this year after a report branded it “poor value for money".

But on a visit to the Farnworth Green housing development this week the Mr Burnham said that this could still be an important part of improving the borough’s transport links.

He said: “I think we should celebrate what’s happening here, I welcomed the bringing of Bee Network buses to Farnworth.”

He added: “We are always looking at improving transport connectivity in Bolton and that includes Metrolink as well.

Andy Burnham with Bolton Council deputy leader Cllr Akhtar Zaman (Image: Newsquest)

“That remains the long-term aspiration but as a say this remains something for the long term its not going to be something we see over the next few months.”

Last October, bringing trams to Bolton was one of a range of projects unveiled by the government has having apparently been made possible by funding from the cancelled HS2 link.

But within days of the announcement, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that this and the other projects were only meant to be “illustrative” of what the funding could do.

Extending the Metrolink to Bolton has been a long debated idea (Image: Newsquest)

Hopes to extend the Metrolink to Bolton suffered a further blow thanks to a Transport for Greater Manchester report that branded the scheme “poor value for money.”

But Mr Burnham has said that improving transport links all over Greater Manchester could be key to the wider remaking of the city region.

He had been visiting the development off King Street, Farnworth which is set to replace the old shopping precinct with new homes, shops and cafes.

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He said that towns like Farnworth could become key living spaces for younger people who were “struggling” to afford living in Manchester city centre.

A key part of this scheme, he said, was improving transport links which included integrating trains with buses as part of the Bee Network.

Mr Burnham said: “People would often talk about this idea of the city versus the town, but I think that really is coming to an end now.

“I think it really is the case now that the greatness of the city is going to help lift those towns.”