Political leaders in Tameside are urging the government to reconsider plans to close a vital Metrolink line for two years during the construction of High Speed 2 (HS2).
Angela Rayner, MP for Ashton-Under-Lyne, Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish and Jonathan Reynolds, MP for Stalybridge and Hyde, have co-authored a petition calling for a rethink. The current plans as part of the construction of the Crewe-Manchester route will see the Ashton line shut down for 24 months - a move which has been branded 'totally unacceptable' by Manchester Council.
This closure would effect passengers going to Etihad stadium and the new Co-op live Arena, as well as negatively impacting jobs, and economic development across Tameside, local leaders have warned.