A reversal of fortunes

Stephen Norris, the Minister for Local Transport, recently said: 'The Secretary of State and I consider Metrolink to be an enormously successful project which represents a good investment for Manchester and the UK.' This statement underlines one of the biggest reversals of government attitude in recent times. From being the greatest champion of the car and the great car economy the Conservatives seem to have finally realised the need for a public transport policy.

A number of contenders are fighting to take advantage of this policy switch, but although each is able to occupy its own place in the nation's infrastructure none has the bright, modern and environmentally friendly image of the tram. However, out of 333 light rail and tramway schemes in the world, so far there are just five in the UK, four of which have been built in the past 10 years.

These five are: the Greater Manchester Metrolink; the South Yorkshire Supertram - currently in its final phase of construction; the two light rail systems - the Docklands Light Railway and the Tyne and Wear Metro; and finally the only survivor of the golden age of trams, the 18km Blackpool Tramway which first started service in 1885 and is now undergoing an œ8.5m refurbishment and upgrade carried out by James Scott.