The Oldham Evening Chronicle has launched a campaign to save the town's Metro after the Government's announcement to scrap a planned expansion of the system to the town.

Secretary of state for transport Alistair Darling has blamed the move on the spiralling costs of the proposal – which have increased from £280m to £670m.

The plan was to extend the tram network through Oldham and Rochdale as well as having links to east Manchester and Manchester Airport.

Evening Chronicle editor Jim Williams said: "The expansion has been on the cards for ten years and the whole planning of the Oldham region has been based around Metrolink.

"Locally, about £15m has been spent planning in the Oldham area and the total that has been spent is more than £200m.

"But the Government has had a change of heart of being prepared to underwrite the costs of the expansion so the prospects do not look good."

Jim said the Evening Chronicle was asking readers to sign its petition and send in coupons showing their support for the campaign.

He said: "We've also got the support of all three local Labour MPs. We'll let Alistair Darling and his cronies know that we're not going to put it to one side."

In the paper's comment column, Jim told readers: "Metrolink has long been at the heart of Oldham's long-term regeneration strategy and is a key element of the Oldham Beyond plan to revive the borough and to improve transport links into Oldham.

"Can we change the decision? Certainly not if we do nothing – that's why the Oldham Chronicle is asking readers to join our campaign to save Metrolink by signing, and getting family and friends to sign, our petition and send e-mails in support."

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