Now that the small print behind this week’s transport announcements has sunk in, it’s clear that once again the people of Salford have got an extremely raw deal.
The Leigh Misguided Busway has received the green light. As I’ve commented many times before, this is a bonkers white elephant scheme which does not serve local communities in Salford but will significantly worsen congestion.
Worse, the Misguided Busway is the only significant element of the scheme based in Salford. So, we get one item that we don’t want, along with plenty of other schemes (mostly, unsurprisingly, in the City of Manchester) which we’ll barely use.
Guess what – we also get to pay through the nose for it! Our Council Tax is going up to fund improvements in Wythenshawe and Didsbury, that’s for sure.
Just as importantly, Salford’s local transport grants is being top-sliced to the tune of 40%. So, next time residents want a new cycle-way, or improvements to a road junction outwith the usual maintenance budget – forget it. Thanks to our Labour leadership all that money got blown on the White Elephant busway and on improvements in Manchester City.
Local residents are once again paying through the nose for no discernable benefit. If we were going to raise money, where were the common-sense improvements to rail services?
The money spent on the busway would have been much better deployed on improving infrastructure on the railway lines through Walkden, Eccles and Irlam, and on the much-needed changes at Salford Crescent – but no, our Labour leadership wanted the Leigh Guided Busway instead. Thanks.
Sorry to allow the facts to get in the way of the arguement but its the Tory- Liberal Leadership of the Transport Authority who are supporting the Guided Busway and Crescent Staion is in there.
This was an AGMA decision John as you well know – and as usual you let Sir Richard get his way and failed to defend Salford’s interest.
“Councillor John Warmisham, who represented Salford at the meeting, said: ‘I welcome any investment in public transport in the city, and I think it is vital for the people of the conurbation.’ ”
Well, I agree with his sentiments if he’s talking in-general; but if he’s refering to the Busway ..vital? I think not. Except perhaps to the bus company looking forward to even more grants & subsidies.
I’m not even sure about the proposals for Crescent Station either. My understanding is that what is now an easy cross-platform interchange will become a foot-bridge job. And let’s face it, if their are any benefits, for the most part it won’t be SALFORD residents who’ll be enjoying them anyway. Only 50% of the trains from the stations actually IN Salford (ie on the Walkden line) have decent connections at Crescent, and savvy travellers just take the free bus from Salford Central instead!
The list was supported by the Tory Leadership of the Transport Authority.