Merseyside Addendum Report

Addendum Report

Following the decision by DfT to withdraw £170 million of funding for Merseytram Line One, in November 2005, there was a protracted legal process as Merseytravel appealed against the decision. This was not resolved until February 2006, when the Passenger Transport Authority agreed not to pursue further legal processes. Because of this, it was not possible, within the timescales available, to revise the draft final LTP.

It was agreed with the DfT that an Addendum Report would be produced by the end of July 2006, which would review the position of the Tram. It was agreed that this would also set out any alternative proposals for the Liverpool-Kirkby corridor and the City Centre, and review the impact on planning assumptions and targets included within the second LTP.

The Addendum Report is not intended to be a detailed funding bid but, sets out the Merseyside LTP partnership's revised policy position, and proposed alternative schemes ahead of more detailed work being commenced with the DfT early in Autumn 2006. It is hoped, however, that the Addendum Report will be a framework for beginning to draw new funds from the Department for Transport, as per the statement, made by the then Secretary of State for transport, Alistair Darling at the time of the withdrawal of funding for Merseytram:-

"The Department stands ready to work with Merseytravel and Merseyside authorities on a package of transport improvements for Merseyside, especially improved public transport in the areas that would have been served by Merseytram. Funding will be there for the right proposals…."

It is anticipated that the detailed further work will be completed in spring 2007.