TRAMS may soon be making a come-back to Preston's streets if a plan masterminded by a local councillor becomes reality.

Coun Bill Chadwick wants a Light Rapid Transport System - similar to Manchester's Metrolink - to become the preferred form of transport in Preston.

If the plan is implemented, the entire town will be linked up, using a mixture of specially-laid and disused track.

The town's original tram system ceased to operate 40 years ago.

The Liberal Democrat leader says if his party becomes the ruling party at next month's elections, he will find the cash to launch a study into the feasibility of the scheme.

He has already devised part of the route.

He hopes a new park and ride facility will be created in Grimsargh, with a tramline running along an old railway route from the site straight into Preston town centre via Ribbleton and onto disused track at Skeffington Road.

Another route out of town would terminate at Cottam, providing instant access to the new Cottam sports development via the university and Tulketh Brow.

Coun Chadwick said: "We would be able to use abandoned railway routes such as the Docklands and the one which runs through St Matthews."

The project would be mainly financed by the private sector, who, Coun Chadwick believes, would be more than happy to support the scheme: "More than 12,000 cars pour into Preston every day. A network like this is the way forward."

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