THE Green Party has slammed plans for a busway for Leigh.

The environmentalists say the scheme - running into the heart of Manchester city centre - was cheap, nasty and another example of Leigh losing out!

Transport bosses, who have launched a detailed £180,000 study into the project, promise a frequent, high quality service if the busway is built.

But the Greens say that what Leigh really needs is its own train station - as well as tram and bus links.

Spokesman Chris Maile - who is also leading opposition to the Xanadu project - said that without proper public transport, the town would continue to feel isolated from industry and be left unable to compete.

He added: "The busway will permanently deprive Leigh of the opportunity of having its own rail station, something which would open up the North-west to thousands of job opportunities."

But a transport authority spokesman said independent consultants - as part of a detailed study last year - indicated that a train link and station at Leigh would only cover about half its costs.

"In view of that we felt it unlikely that a heavy rail proposal for Leigh would attract the necessary private and public sector funding," she said.

But the spokesman added that the busway plan wouldn't necessarily prevent future train schemes.

Part of the proposed 16-mile bus road - between Leigh and Ellenbrook - would be built on a former railway.

The rest of the link is planned to run alongside major routes including the East Lancs Road.

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