It concerns me that Burham and Rotherhams Manchester to Liverpool line might be too ambitious to get going? They say the funding is in place, but from what I read the initial costings didn't include for the new stations required. It also comes out of Picaddilly and requires the costly HS2 tunnelling scheme.
Perhaps Andy Burnham would perhaps be better concentrating on getting smaller more affordable schemes off the ground.
Such as increasing the platform capacity at Piccadilly so that the Ordsall curve can be fully utilised, Grayling cancelled this. Extending the tram to Stockport and Middleton and out to Rochdale? Increasing frequency and capacity on existing lines such as the Ashton line now the new arena is open and the Etihad is expanding. Providing more park and ride facilities ?
Starting on the Ardwick Viaduct rail link reinstatement out to the Etihad that they are planning.