ALONG the right lines! That's a £2.5million improvement of Metrolink stops along the Bury-Altrincham line which has been praised by a local transport chief.

Councillor Gordon Sharkey, the local authority's spokesman for the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA), has given his thumbs-up to the recent refurbishment programme.

The upgrade involved 18 stops along the former British Rail line and embraced a range of improvements designed to enhance passenger safety and security and provide a more pleasant and modern waiting environment.

Coun Sharkey said: "I have been pleased to see at first hand the progress on many of the stops along the Bury-Altrincham line which have long been in need of investment.

"Some of the stops had become very run down after many years of under investment and are now providing a much more pleasant waiting environment for Metrolink users."

Greater Manchester Police, Metrolink users and local residents were all consulted before major work was started to improve safety and security and accessibility at stops.

"The authority is committed to making sure passengers can wait for their tram in a safe and secure environment and has targeted areas that were causing problems at certain stops," added Coun Sharkey.

"For example, the removal of the older, covered bridge links and stairways at certain stops has drastically cut down on problems associated with youths causing a nuisance.

"Just as important in these upgrades has been the need to make these older stops more accessible and a range of measures have been introduced to make sure that everybody finds Metrolink easy to use."

Members of GMPTA's transport network have been briefed about further work in the modernisation programme.