METROLINK expansion plans will form the cornerstone of a 15-year public transport-led strategy for Greater Manchester.

The county-wide Integrated Transport Strategy has been developed by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) in response to the Government's reinstatement of £520 million funding for transport in the areas served by the proposed Metrolink extensions and last year's Transport White Paper.

The Authority and AGMA have now welcomed a progress report on the revised strategy, which will be submitted to the Government at the end of the month.

Metrolink will remain at the core of the strategy as the most appropriate transport solution for Oldham and Rochdale, East Manchester and South Manchester and Manchester Airport.

A range of additional public transport options are recommended, aimed at promoting economic growth, social inclusion and a better environment for Greater Manchester.