The Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has restated his belief that there is an urgent need for a direct Rochdale – Manchester Piccadilly Metrolink service to be introduced as soon as possible and certainly from the start of next year.

Councillor Sykes represents Oldham Council on the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.  He is confident that there is no reason why services from Rochdale or services from Shaw & Crompton cannot be split between a direct route to Piccadilly Station, via the city centre, and a service to East Didsbury, via Exchange Square and St Peters Square.

Councillor Sykes said: “Shaw and Crompton is one of the busiest tram stops on the Metrolink system and our passengers want to be able to travel directly to the biggest mainline railway station in Greater Manchester at Piccadilly, rather than being inconvenienced by having to get off at Victoria.  This would also deliver on the promise from 20 plus years ago that Oldham would get a direct connection to the main Intercity Station in Greater Manchester.”

“I have done my calculations and I am confident that such a service can be introduced with minimum disruption and maximum benefit for passengers, he added.  “We were promised this service many years ago and the Liberal Democrats have been campaigning for it ever since.”

“Hopefully this could all be in place for early 2018,” claimed Councillor Sykes.  I hope when Greater Manchester Leaders and the Mayor consider this matter, which I understand is quite soon, they will make the right decision and deliver what was promised years ago – a direct link to Piccadilly.”