Andy Burnham gives update on ‘tram-train’ plan to connect Bolton, Leigh and Atherton to Metrolink

Andy Burnham said he wanted all 10 boroughs in Greater Manchester to be connected by a Metrolink style service

Plans for a tram-train service via Atherton which would also connect Bolton and Leigh to the Metrolink are set to be published next month, Greater Manchester’s mayor has said.

Andy Burnham said the tram-trains, able to operate both on tram tracks and existing rail lines, would be the key to unlocking Metrolink services to the towns.

Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester’s ‘In The Hotseat’ phone-in, the metro mayor was challenged by listener Alison who asked why the massive £2.5bn extra transport funding for Greater Manchester announced yesterday by chancellor Rachel Reeves, made no mention of Bolton.

She asked: “Has Bolton been forgotten yet again? When, when, when will Bolton be linked to the Metrolink?”

Mr Burnham told listeners: “We’re just working up now the next Greater Manchester strategy and will be publishing that in the early part of July.

“We will be looking at a tram-train scheme via Atherton which could potentially link to Bolton and to Leigh.

“The reason why it’s not as firm as yesterday with the other schemes is that they are more viable at this moment in time.

"It’s not the case that Bolton is cut out of the picture or forgotten.

“Bolton will see some big transport improvements in pretty short order. We want all our boroughs to be connected by a Metrolink style service.

“Tram-train via Atherton is the way in which Bolton and Leigh would be connected.”

He also said that rail passengers would see other, non-infrastructure changes in Bolton soon.

“Two rail lines which connect via Bolton are coming into the Bee Network by 2028,” he said.

“That means Bolton will all of a sudden be a very attractive place from a travel point of view.

“Passengers will be able to tap in at Bolton station and they’ll be in the Bee Network cap.

“That’s going to be a change that comes quicker than any new infrastructure.

“In effect, those services will be like Metrolink, they’ll be quicker and passengers will be in the same system.”