METROLINK is still 20 years away from Leigh but plans are well on track for the guided busway to link the town with Manchester -- a development branded an "essential forerunner" to the Metrolink.

That is the view of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive's new chairman, and Salford councillor, Roger Jones.

Cllr Jones was appointed last February following the death of Atherton's public transport champion, Joe Clarke. This week he told the Journal of his vision for public transport in Leigh and the surrounding area.

But opponents have vowed not to make it an easy ride for those planning to bring the scheme to the area.

Work on the guided busway scheme will start in 2005 if a public inquiry -- scheduled for November -- rules in its favour.

The £30 million scheme will run along the route of the former Leigh -Tyldesley-Ellenbrook-Manchester railway line before reaching the East Lancashire Road at Boothstown, where it will continue towards Manchester.

Electric or gas-powered single deckers could be selected to run the guided way and "bendy" 65-seater vehicles could also be deployed.

But residents have voiced objections to the scheme and many have requested a heavy-duty rail line or Metrolink extension instead.

But Cllr Jones said the dedicated busway would serve as a forerunner to the Metrolink and offer short-term solutions to traffic problems.

He said: "This busway is phase one of a scheme that will lead to the Metrolink in Leigh -- that is my hope. It would be nice if we had the support but it does not work like that.

"We want to make sure we can travel to Manchester from Leigh quicker than any other system of transport during rush hour. We are going to go ahead with the guided busways.

"The money for the busway is in the pot and people who talk about a heavy rail link and the Metrolink should realise they are 20 years away. The busway would be started in two years and finished in three to four.

"The predicted levels of passenger usage, together with the much higher capital costs, likely to be in the order of at least £100 million, and the time that it would take to implement such a scheme do not justify a Metrolink extension.

"However, once the alignment is protected for public transport use, any future upgrading to Metrolink type operations would be much easier to achieve at a later date, probably in 10-15 years time. It is also 14 times more expensive to deliver Metrolink than a dedicated busway."

Three park-and-ride schemes are also in the pipeline -- Leigh, Tyldesley (Astley Street) and Hough Lane. The Highways Agency is also investigating park-and-ride options for motorists on the M61 with the buses using the busway for onward travel to Manchester.

Anyone wishing to raise their views should write to Cllr Roger Jones, C/0 GMPTE, 9 Portland Street, Manchester, M60 1HX.