Liverpool tram plans could be reconsidered, says Mayor Steve Rotheram

Plans for a tram network in Liverpool have been mooted for more than 20 years

Plans for a tram network in Liverpool could be reconsidered if Labour wins the next general election, the region's metro mayor has said.

Merseytram proposals, mooted more than 20 years ago, were dropped after years of in-fighting and soaring costs.

Mayor Steve Rotheram said transport bosses could "look again" at the plans in the event of a change of government at Westminster.

The project would require financial support from central government.

In 2001, plans for the Merseytram project were put forward as part of a local transport plan.

A loop around the city centre was intended, as well as three lines, including one running towards Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

With government funding in place, construction had been expected to begin in July 2005.

The project was ultimately mothballed, but not before £70m had been spent without any track being laid.

A Freedom Of Information request in 2018 revealed that steel bought to build the tracks had been sold for less than half of the original £821,000 purchase price, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Steve Rotheram wants to "look again" at a tram service for Liverpool

Speaking at an event discussing the future of the Liverpool City Region, Mr Rotheram expressed his frustration.

"We had the money before Manchester for a tram," he said. "Our local authorities couldn't work together and we lost the money.

"We spent the money on rails but when we ended up selling them, we didn't even get the money for them. We ended up fighting each other and lost the opportunity to steal a march on Manchester."

In 2021 Liverpool City Council asked local people for their views on a proposed trackless tram system, which would see battery-powered trams running on rubber wheels guided by sensors along roads.