BURY North MP DAVID Chaytor is keen for the postponed expansion of Metrolink to go-ahead so vital funds can be released for the Bury-Altrincham line upgrade.

Mr Chaytor was part of a delegation which met the Prime Minister and Secretary Alistair Darling on Wednesday to brief Mr Blair on the importance of the phase three extension to other parts of Greater Manchester.

Following the meeting, Mr Chaytor said: "I want to emphasise there is a political will on all sides to see Metrolink expand into a world-class public transport system for the people of Greater Manchester."

Commenting on the Government's decision to reject the expansion, Mr Chaytor added: "Although nobody underestimates the difficulties faced, from a Government point of view there has been an increase in the original estimates of the Metrolink expansion from £200 million to £900 million. No reasonable Government is going to deal with a cost escalation of that size by writing a blank cheque."

Last week, Mr Chaytor and his Bury South counterpart Ivan Lewis joined other Greater Manchester MPs and local transport officials in a meeting with the Transport Secretary.

Commenting on Wednesday's meeting with Tony Blair, Mr Chaytor went on: "We met the Prime Minister with Alistair Darling so we could fully brief the PM on the significance of this for Greater Manchester and the urgency of getting the process back on track.

"Although the extension doesn't affect my constituency, part of the package is for the refurbishment of the existing Bury-Altrincham line. Myself and Ivan Lewis are keen that we don't lose the phased expansion as we need that money to get the upgrade."

Disclosing that talks would continue on the issue with the relevant parties, Mr Chaytor said: "Hopefully, we will find a way forward. The important thing is to get costs down and the key to that is reducing the risk by getting stronger guarantees on increased passenger numbers. This is the challenge. The Government is a strong supporter of the Metrolink's expansion, but it's got to be cost effective."

Mr Chaytor has also criticised Bury Council Conservative leader Councillor Roy Walker for telling the Transport Secretary his decision would be seen as an "act of betrayal" in neighbouring communities.

"This strikes me as the hypocrisy of all hypocrisies from a party that privatised the railways. One of the enormous pressures on the Department of Transport's budget is a direct result of the policies of railway privatisation which landed taxpayers with a bill for millions of pounds which will last long into the future."

People can register support for Metrolink Phase 3 by email via the GMPTE www.gmpte.com or writing to 'Get Our Metrolink Back On Track', GMPTE, Freepost, MR7116, Manchester, M1 9QL.