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Transport chiefs approve Supertram extensions
TWO new extensions to Sheffield's Supertram system won approval from South Yorkshire transport chiefs yesterday. Ian Waugh
An application will now be made to Government for a large slice of the 104m needed to build a link from Meadowhall to Rotherham town centre and Parkgate retail world.
A second extension will run from existing tram tracks on Glossop Road to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital and loop through Broomhill.
Yesterday South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority agreed to back the plans, which have met with some local opposition.
Roy Wicks, director general of the SYPTE, said: "A lot of work has gone into this project over the last few years and we can now go forward and present a proposal on behalf of South Yorkshire to the Department of Transport.
"Supertram has been a great success in Sheffield and we hope the benefits it could bring to Rotherham in terms of regeneration and the economy as well as getting more people on public transport will make these proposals viable.
"We look forward to working with the Department of Transport in the coming months to make the Supertram extensions become a reality for South Yorkshire."
Government figures have shown that passenger journeys on Sheffield's Supertram were up by seven per cent in the year to March 2004, beating the national average growth of 4.9 per cent.
The figures appeared to contradict criticism of light rail systems earlier this year by the Government spending watchdog body the National Audit Office, which said they were not attracting as many passengers as predicted.
Leeds transport chiefs are hoping the figures will put pressure on the Government to support amended plans for a light rail scheme in the city.
In Sheffield there has been opposition to the proposed extensions.
Paul Scriven, who represents the Broomhill ward, said residents and businesses had major concerns about the plans.
He said: "I do support Supertram as part of an integrated transport system but this loop is seen by many in Broomhill as just plain daft. It will cause untold mayhem and it is in completely the wrong place.
"Not a penny of Government money has been put forward to this and any betting person would not put much on these proposals coming to fruition."
If the Government gives the go-ahead then the trams could start running on the new routes in 2010.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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