Transport secretary Ruth Kelly's resignation could revive Merseytram

Sep 24 2008

Merseytram

THE dramatic resignation of transport secretary Ruth Kelly has thrown a shadow over plans to revive Merseytram.

Ms Kelly, who will stand down officially in next week’s cabinet reshuffle, was an enthusiastic supporter of the £230m link between Kirkby and Liverpool city centre.

She was poised to authorise £180m in government funding for the scheme, which was pencilled in to start in 2010.

But no one knows what the attitude of her successor will be.

Knowsley North MP George Howarth, a long-time tram campaigner, said: "We shall have to wait and see.

"Ruth was certainly enthusiastic about Merseytram and we were on track for a real breakthrough.

"Her successor is an unknown quantity.

"But I firmly believe that Merseytravel has made the case. The tram can be delivered on budget, on time, and the social and regeneration benefits are obvious."