Background Merseytram

unlike merseytram, greater manchester s metrolink incorporates former heavy railways stations network

liverpool had extensive tram network in early-20th century, 1 of advanced in uk. network included large sections of reserved track in centre reservations , side reservations of dual carriageway system developed liverpool city engineer, john brodie. brodie understood ordinary railway sleeper track less expensive road tram track , thereby justified increased width of new roads. reservations allowed trams by-pass road congestion.

after world war ii, trams fell out of favour , liverpool city council voted scrap system in 1957. controversial decision made casting vote of mayor - protocol requirement in event of hung vote.

during 1960s , 1970s, public transport development in liverpool concentrated on integration , expansion of dispersed urban rail lines complete rapid transit network bored tunnels , stations in centre serving large part of city , merseyside. resulting metro-like network called merseyrail. 1 of main proposals creation of outer rail loop electrification of former passenger route through eastern suburbs, 6 platform underground interchange station @ broad green, , using existing lines in west of city. proposal unsuccessful due financial problems , political opposition. eastern section of outer loop not built leaving eastern districts of city unserved.

in mid 1990s, new proposal formulated serve eastern suburbs remote rail network. known mrt, mersey rapid transit , have consisted of articulated electric trolley buses using electronic guidance system. proposed route city centre page moss via mount pleasant.

the scheme rejected @ public inquiry - 1 of reasons given being reopening of pedestrianised routes in city centre road vehicles. in response, merseytravel proposed merseytram 3 line system.

unlike greater manchester s metrolink network, used heavy rail lines , stations serving towns around manchester , street running in manchester city centre, merseytram stand-alone 100% street running network. unable build underground rail in city centre after cancellation of picc-vic tunnel scheme, greater manchester designed metrolink mixture of commuter rail , street running trams because of cost constraints tunnels not bored. unlike manchester liverpool has used , unused underground tunnels under city centre. metrolink acted fast commuter rail system on outskirts , street running tram in manchester city centre. merseytram did not use merseyrail track , branch off disconnected parts of city not served rail. neither did merseytram use mothballed tunnels or trackbeds in liverpool area, of city has in abundance. lack of integration merseyrail criticized.