Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to provide funding for the expansion of the Manchester Metrolink after the UK leaves the EU.

The Government has provided significant levels of funding over recent years to help extend the Manchester Metrolink system. More recently Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has funded further extensions from its own resources and only this month the Secretary of State authorised TfGM’s application to construct an extension through Trafford Park.

TfGM is welcome to bid for further funding through the Local Growth Fund. In addition the Department is currently assessing bids from TfGM and other local authorities for development funding for large schemes which includes further extensions of the Metrolink system. Funding will be available to construct those schemes which are successful in this competition.