Tram stop could arrive as part of 'new town' plan

PLANS for a new tram stop in Manchester are one step closer as the government announces £1.5m for a 'new town' in the city.

- JOSEPH TIMAN

The government has announced the funding for the Victoria North development on the edge of the city centre where more than 15,000 homes are planned. Manchester council has said the cash will be used to draw up plans for a new tram stop in Collyhurst.

The new Metrolink stop at Sandhills has been mooted for years, but the funding means a full business case for the project can be put together. This work is expected to get underway immediately but it would take years before the tram stop could potentially open.

It comes as the Prime Minister unveiled plans for the next generation of 'new towns. More than 100 sites across England have been put forward as potential 'new towns' including Victoria North where work has started on sites between the city centre and Collyhurst.