WIREDGOV

An Order is to be made under the Transport and Works Act (TWA) giving powers to build a new tramway from Liverpool to Kirkby, Transport Minister David Jamieson announced today. A separate process will take place to determine funding for the project.

Subject to funding approval from the Government, the Order will enable the Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive to construct an 18 kilometre long tramway from the King's Waterfront in Liverpool to Kirkby town centre. The scheme includes a Park and Ride site and an Operations and Control Centre in Croxteth. The decision to make the Order accords with the recommendation of the Inspector who held a public inquiry into the proposals.

Commenting on the decision, David Jamieson said:

"This new tramway would bring clear transportation, regeneration and socio-economic benefits to the area. This scheme provides for a high quality public transport service which would serve some of the country's most deprived areas as well as some important new development sites. It would integrate well with the existing transport network and I agree with the Inspector that it is capable of giving a real boost to the image and profile of Merseyside.

"I should make clear that the decision on the TWA Order is separate from a decision on funding, which will be subject to a separate approval process."

Notes to Editors

1. Merseytravel (the Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive) applied to the Secretary of State for an Order under the Transport and Works Act to authorise them to build and operate an 18 km tramway from Liverpool to Kirkby. The scheme - known as Merseytram Line 1 - includes 30 tram stops and a 750 vehicle Park and Ride site. Over 97% of the tramway would be segregated from other road traffic.

2. Following a public inquiry into the scheme, the Inspector, Mr C J Tipping, recommended that approval should be given. He was persuaded that the scheme would bring clear transport, regeneration and socio-economic benefits. In particular, the Inspector considered that it would raise the profile and improve the image of Merseyside and would provide a high quality, reliable public transport service. He was satisfied that its impacts on local people and the environment would be acceptable when proposed mitigation measures were in place, and that the benefits of the scheme would far outweigh its disbenefits.

3. The Secretary of State has decided to accept the recommendation of the Inspector and to make the TWA Order, with some modifications. He also intends to grant planning permission for the development, subject to conditions designed to minimise the impact of the works. These conditions will give the local planning authorities a suitable degree of control over the details of the scheme.

4. The decision on the TWA Order does not convey any funding approval, which will be subject to a separate process. Full details of the Secretary of State's decision and the reasons for it are set out in the decision letter which is today being sent to all interested parties.

5. Details of the project can be obtained from either:

Merseytravel
24 Hatton Garden
Liverpool
L3 2AN

or their Parliamentary Agents:

Messrs Bircham Dyson Bell
50 Broadway
Westminster
London
SW1H 0BL

Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk