A PRESTWICH woman campaigning for improvements on Metrolink's Bury line is "devastated" by the rejection of its phase three expansion.

Mrs Maria Fuller fears the shock Government decision not to approve the Rochdale, Oldham, and South Manchester extension will effectively block the vital £30 million funding for the Bury-Altrincham line upgrade.

The mother-of-two has waged a long-running battle with Metrolink to have the line improved. The Fuller family, who live in Cedar Grove right next to the track, say the noise from the old line makes their life a misery.

Now, she has written to Bury South MP Ivan Lewis and a transport chief to determine if cash earmarked for the upgrade will still be provided, despite phase three being turned down.

Mrs Fuller, who says she is on medication because of depression caused by the noise, said: "To say I'm devastated would be an understatement. The Government announcement was a bombshell."

"This track is 40-years-old and an upgrade would quieten the noise quite considerably. I was told earlier that improvements to the line would be made by the new operator. But no announcement has yet been made about the new concessionaire."

In a letter to Geoff Inskip, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive's (GMPTE) Metrolink project director, Mrs Fuller asks: "Will approximately £30 million Government funding still be available for the replacement of the Bury-Manchester track?

"If not, what measures will GMPTE be taking to replace the track?"

She has also appealed to Mr Lewis to consult with Transport Secretary Alistair Darling over the position regarding the Bury-Altrincham upgrade.

The Bury South MP, who will be making representations to the Government over the phase three rejection, said it "remained to be seen" whether improvements to the Bury line, which would have been included in the expansion, could be done separately.

Mr Lewis said of the phase three rejection: "It's very disappointing, and that's an understatement. In defence of the Government, the cost of the expansion had doubled since it originally supported the scheme, and amounts like that are simply not floating about."

However, that doesn't make it any better for commuters in Greater Manchester."