BURY'S top Tory has told the Government its shock decision to reject Metrolink's expansion was seen as "an act of betrayal" in neighbouring communities.

Councillor Roy Walker also said the Government now stood accused of "a very short-sighted approach" to planning public transport in the area.

In a letter to Transport Secretary Alistair Darling, the Bury Conservative Group leader added: "We are left with a cynical view of its policy when the investment in the London and South East region is taken into account."

Coun Walker's action coincides with Bury Council's decision to team up with Metrolink owners, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE), to raise awareness of the need for the extension and to encourage people to get behind the campaign.

Residents visiting libraries, council offices, entertainment events and area board meetings are being urged to sign up to the campaign.

The local authority has also written to Mr Darling asking him to re-think his decision to cancel Government backing and financial support for the plans to extend the system to locations such as Manchester Airport, Ashton-under-Lyne, Wythenshawe and Rochdale.

Bury South MP Ivan Lewis has also thrown his weight behind the campaign to get Metrolink back on track.

At a summit meeting held in Manchester last Friday, Mr Lewis joined other MPs, senior councillors and Greater Manchester Transport officials to discuss ways to persuade the Government to backtrack.

Mr Lewis said: "Whether it be improvements to the existing line, which are a particular concern to people living and working locally, or the expansion of the system, Metrolink is central to our capacity to create a truly integrated public transport system."

Writing on behalf of Bury's 19 Conservative councillors, Coun Walker has expressed concern at what he describes as a "Government U-turn".

"If the Government still supports an integrated public transport system, then the progressive extension of the tramway infrastructure with connecting bus routes must be sustained.

"Although upgrading the tram service is expensive, it must be compared with the cost of regular road improvements and alterations witnessed daily in the vicinity of the present and proposed tram routes."

In a reply to Coun Walker, the Department for Transport said: "The Secretary of State acknowledges that Metrolink has been extremely successful but the plans for the extension have been dogged by successive cost increases.

"This does not mean the end of light rail in the UK -- but the level of cost escalation suggests that we need to look at how to make light rail more affordable.

"The Department will be working closely with the GMPTE and Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority on developing alternative proposals. These will need to be considered on the basis of their value for money, including their wider benefits, and affordability."

On Monday, the fight to save the expansion hit the tracks with the launch of a newly-decorated tram bearing the slogan Get Our Metrolink Back on Track!