BURY will benefit in terms of employment, business opportunities and lifestyle choices if the Government backtracks over its decision not to fund a new Metrolink extension.

In an effort to ensure that the borough ultimately reaps the rewards of a multi-million pound cash injection of the system, the local authority has signed up to the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive's (GMPTE) Get Our Metrolink Back on Track campaign.

Bury Council has set up an internal working party to supplement the work of the GMPTE campaign and stress that if the Metrolink expansion eventually goes ahead, then the borough will benefit. Their forecast comes following Tuesday's meeting of the Government's Metrolink steering group.

In a report produced to the group, the council's principal transportation officer Tony Williams spelled out the added benefits the extension would bring.

The Metrolink extension plans have always included proposals to upgrade the Bury to Altrincham line and add extra capacity, and Mr Williams argued that the investment was likely to create new jobs, business openings and other opportunities for local people.

He outlined how the plans could: "Meet the demand for more workers in Bury by linking the borough to new areas of the network not previously easily accessible - and contributing to the regional drive for more employment and training opportunities.

*Boost the retail prosperity of Bury town centre by opening the area up to more shoppers from the extension to places like Oldham, Ashton and Rochdale and vice versa.

*Make Bury a more attractive place to live with a spin-off for investment in housing along the tram line, resulting from greater investment in the track and capacity.

*Improve the attraction of Bury town centre as an entertainment location with an improved service helping the already-developing evening economy.

Bury Council executive member for environment and transport, Councillor Michael Connolly said: "The extension to Metrolink and associated investment in the existing lines is vital for Greater Manchester.

"This report shows that the investment will ensure that it would continue to bring benefits to our borough as well as those communities which would get the Metrolink for the first time.

"Our message to the Government is 'don't stop now'. Metrolink has been a success for Bury, so let's build on it."