I’D like to respond to several recent letters about the busway.

Val Johnson talks about Mosley Common missing out on the busway.

While the busway route will follow the old railway alignment from Leigh to Ellenbrook – before services continue on the East Lancs Road into Manchester – we are keen to make sure that communities not directly connected to busway still benefit.

Mosley Common currently has a good level of bus services to surrounding towns as well as Manchester and the Trafford Centre, and it is expected that the busway will only improve services in the area.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) will work with the bus operators to look at how they will provide services to link up with the busway.

This would mean that surrounding areas such as Mosley Common could connect with busway services and have even better access into the city centre.

Helen Wrall asks about Metrolink coming to the area. A public inquiry in 2002 demonstrated that the busway offered significantly better value for money than tram services.

Trams would cost more money and would not deliver any extra benefits, either for passengers, the community or the Greater Manchester economy.

However, the investment in the busway does not rule out future investment in other forms of transport locally.

TfGM is working with Wigan Council to assess the current situation and future requirements for car parking in the town centre. TfGM will continue to involve stakeholders to ensure that their feedback is taken into account.

This commitment to listening to local views was shown with the announcement of the final busway route in Atherton town centre, which was changed following extensive discussions with residents and businesses.

I’d remind anyone who has any questions about the busway that they can raise them with TfGM staff by calling 0300 123 1177, or by dropping in to one of the many sessions held at local venues.

CLR MARK ALDRED

Vice chairman of the TfGM Committee