I know it not quicker I said it wasn’t so long so a tram couldn’t do it. So a tram can be used if that’s the solution which I don’t think it is in this instance.
I don’t want heavy rail lines down grading. Duplicating existing routes or down grading them is s nonsense.
The best solution is obviously full electrification of the line right through from Manchester to Southport no question. (Preferably with brand new rolling stock not cast off repainted 1980s DMUs from some where else!)
I am suggesting that part of that corridor where there is four line spaces can be used as a metolink circular line. As there would be dozens of stops and trams accelerate faster they would be suitable for this. It’s horses for courses.
This along with full electrification of all our heavy rail, would speed up on the longer journeys and create thousands of new combinations and avoid having to go into Manchester to get to other places which is the case much of the time.
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