Last week, I spoke in the debate on rail investment. I do think sometimes when connectivity is talked about, while the great powerhouses that are our cities are rightfully mentioned, our towns are too often ignored.
On a more local level, these projects, along with Labour’s plan to bring rail back into public ownership, present us with an opportunity to really bring forward plans to have an orbital tram route for the north-east of Greater Manchester. It could connect the Bury line to Middleton, Chadderton and Oldham (with a spur to Royton) and then through to the existing Ashton line.
Further to this, Oldham deserves better heavy-rail connectivity, after all, since the light-rail system was introduced, Oldham town centre has been without a heavy-rail station. Why can’t we have that national connectivity at Mills Hill, Moston and the currently defunct Middleton Junction station? Each could be joined onto the line Lumo have proposed from Rochdale to London Euston via Manchester Victoria line, and properly serve the people of Oldham, Chadderton and Royton?
We can create a multi-model public transport service that constituents of mine deserve, one that can revitalise local investment and reignite community ownership – ensuring the North is no longer undersold by their government.
Jim McMahon for Oldham West, Chadderton & Royton 