Plans to expand the Metrolink were axed earlier this month

Regeneration Minister Lord Rooker said it was a hard decision but Greater Manchester would get a better transport system "in due course".

He was confronted by deputy Council Leader in Manchester, Jim Battle, who presented him with a dossier of evidence for the plan to go ahead.

Lord Rooker was in Manchester to launch a housing development in Beswick.

In due course you will get a better transport system Lord Rooker

"Well [the scheme] went up from �280m to �520m in a two year period, all of a sudden more money was needed," he said.

"At the end of the spending review, when all these decisions had to be balanced delicately... you have to make some decisions.

"Not all of them are popular, because it is not our job as the government to go around making popular decisions.

"We are trying to make the right ones.

"In due course you will get a better transport system.

"At the present time there's a bit of a hiatus, of which I can't give you any more information other than what you already know."