Urban transport
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wants to see more forward thinking, for future systems to link industrial areas and other sites of potential development. ‘We need to have the vision to go to such places,’ he says. As for the here and now, government-
funded extensions to the Manchester Metrolink will see the network stretch to Oldham and Rochdale, as well as to Ashton- Under-Lyne and East Didsbury. Further expansion is planned for the Midland Metro Line One into Birmingham city centre. The DfT has also helped fund development work on a tram-train pilot in South Yorkshire, as well as working with Hertfordshire County Council and Network Rail on proposals to convert the St Albans Abbey Line to light rail. A longstanding enemy of progress has
been paralysis in decision making, something clearly recognised by politicians on the all party Parliamentary Light Rail Group inquiry. Moroever, fiascos such as that in Leeds – where, as transport minister, Alistair Darling pulled Supertram at the 11th hour – linger in the memory. Small wonder private industry and investors have been wary of getting involved. While Johnston welcomes the Baker
review, he believes the time for endless talking must stop. ‘LRTF has reached the stage where it wants to see orders and jobs – a strategy document doesn’t feed the family,’ he says.
Moreover, he adds, politics must be
taken out of the equation. ‘France doesn’t see transport as a political matter,’ says Johnston. ‘The French see that transport has to be improved, and then it’s a matter of “how quickly can we do it?” They see better systems as a way of improving cities. Jobs follow; employment increases; everyone becomes much happier.’
Nottingham is one of the few UK cities to have a light rail system
‘Could the Baker review, Green Light for Light Rail – the work of a man who genuinely cares about local transport – catalyse change in the UK?’
DECEMBER 2011 PAGE 29
Shutterstock/Mark William Richardson
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