Was looking on the TIF Manchester Congestion Charge website and it mentions at the bottom of the second page that they are planning to expand the Metrolink through the proposed new Salford Reds stadium site to Port Salford! Latest TIF Newsletter dated November 3rd - www.gmfuturetransport.co.uk/pdf/ ... tter_9.pdf

Was looking on the TIF Manchester Congestion Charge website and it mentions at the bottom of the second page that they are planning to expand the Metrolink through the proposed new Salford Reds stadium site to Port Salford! Latest TIF Newsletter dated November 3rd - www.gmfuturetransport.co.uk/pdf/ ... tter_9.pdf

It appears to be yet another sweetener to help soften the blow on the Trafford Centre's potential loss of future footFall and subsequent rate reductions to it's tenants?

TIF are promising the earth, yet they can’t possibly deliver everything they’ve come up with. That’s not fair to the voters. Smells a bit to me.

I think "can't possibly" may be going a bit far (unless you've got figures). To put £3B in context - the original "Big Bang" proposal to expand Metrolink to Oldham, Rochdale, Ashton, Trafford Park, Chorlton, Didsbury, Wythenshawe and the Airport was costed at about £900M. £3B leaves a lot left over for extra buses and trains that don't need associated construction work.

In terms of stadium specifics, if the public transport to the site isn't vasly improved it will me a negative for getting people there and, for me, a negative in terms of enjoyment because I'll end up having to drive and not have a drink. I'm liking the proposal for a much more direct bus service between Prestwich and Eccles than the current 484.

I don’t have complete faith that in a few years time, the estimated budget won't be blown. Wembley Stadium and the 2012 Olympics comes to mind. Granted, they are a London thing.

I've just skimmed the updated proposal and there’s nothing in there about the GPS tracking for buses at every stop which was muted in the press. If that was definitely a part of the propsal, it’d be a definite Yes for me.

Would it not be better idea to have GPS transmitters on the buses/trams so people can see where they are on a GPS mobile phone? Key the bus number in and it tells you exactly where the bus is located?

Well that’d be great, but it’s reliant on the end user either having a GPS enabled device, or if they can send a text message for the info — paying money.

There are some bus stops around Swinton and Broughton that trialed an electronic board system, similar to what the Metrolink uses. That would suit everybody, providing the your nearest bus stop isn’t vandalised.

Article in yesterdays advertiser also suggests that any over spenditure for the TIF prosposals will be funded by the local council tax payers!