By Jack Carter
Plans to expand the Sheffield tram network led to a fiery debate last week in the council budget meeting.
Tram Vision, a plan to consult on the extension of Tram Train routes from Sheffield into Stocksbridge and Chesterfield caused a division in the Sheffield City Council budget meeting between Liberal Democrat and Labour councillors.
Lib Dem Councillor Mike Levery took issue with Sheffield City Council’s budget overspending
“This year we’ve achieved 93% of our target savings of 43 million, and despite that we are still overspent by 35 million”
Cllr. Levery took particular issue with the council plans to expand the SuperTram network inside of Sheffield “Why are we spending £615,000 on the vision for extending a tram which will not actually happen until the next parliament”
Labour Councillor Ben Miskell announced his opposition to the Liberal Democrats amendments “I am pleased to support this budget, a budget that of course that protects the vital services and invests in Sheffield’s future”
Cllr Miskell showed particular enthusiasm for new infrastructure schemes announced in the budget “A key part of this budget of course is investing in infrastructure because we invest in transport and when we do and in new homes and regeneration we drive economic growth”
Cllr Miskell was particularly dismayed by Labour’s coalition partners declining to support expansion “Expanding supertram is vital if we’re serious about tackling congestion improving connectivity and regenerating our city”
Local business owners seem similarly enthusiastic about the Tram Vision proposal
Paul Gregory, 68, owner of the Pheasant Bar and Grill in Oughtibridge said “I think it’d be a great idea, the more transport links the better”
The amendments to the Cities budget proposed by Lib Dem councillors included “another six independent travel trainers for those children 16-18” support for “degree apprenticeships in speech and language therapy” as well as a new “anti-knife campaign across the city”
Plans to consult the expansion of Super Tram will go ahead.
