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We've been trampled on

23/ 7/2004

THE Government has been accused of betraying the people of Manchester over its decision not to fund the Metrolink.

Manchester councillors demonstrated in the city centre demanding that transport secretary Alistair Darling resign and carrying placards emblazoned with 'Move over darling.'

Labour MP Keith Bradley has also come under heavy fire after trumpeting the Metro to constituents over the last five years.

Lib Dem Didsbury councillor David Sandiford accused the MP of 'whistling in the dark' in 2002 when Mr Bradley claimed there was every chance the Didsbury Spur would be built.

This week Coun Sandiford said: "The Government should have approved this four years ago instead it's become more and more expensive and less and less likely to go ahead.

"At a time when the £10billion rail project is being approved for London, this decision really does show what we always knew there's a North-South divide in this country when it comes to government finance."

Published 22 July 2004