A GUIDED busway could be a better option to boost Warrington's public transport than a tram system.

The Warrington Guardian reported last week on how a consortium is looking at a multi-million pound scheme to create a small tram network in the borough.

One line would run north-south and another east-west.

However Ben Wakerley MD of Warrington's Own Buses, says a tram scheme would not only prove inflexible, with just two lines, but also expensive compared to an equivalent bus priority scheme.

Since Leigh's Guided Bus Way launched, more than 2 million passengers a year use the scheme to get between Leigh and Manchester city centre, with passenger numbers on the rise.

Mr Wakerley was speaking in the week of the inaugural Transport for the North (TfN) conference in Sheffield.

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He was among the delegates with bus company chairman and deputy leader of the council Cathy Mitchell, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Pete Waterman and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Andrew Jones.

TfN set out its vision for ‘A thriving North of England, where world class transport supports sustainable economic growth, excellent quality of life and improved opportunities for all.’

Mr Wakerley said: “TfN are presenting a positive case to improve the north’s transport infrastructure, which we support as a solution to Warrington’s traffic congestion problem.

“We must give our town a more attractive alternative to cars and I believe the bus company is best placed to do this.

"Several towns and cities have already evaluated tram schemes and not progressed them.

"If we get behind buses and rail, we can greatly improve the public transport offer in Warrington and it can be done flexibly and at good value.”