The tram will be extended to the east and west of the city

A �400m plan to expand Sheffield's Supertram network has been revealed.

The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority (SYPTA) wants to build lines out as far as Rotherham and extend west Sheffield routes.

It hopes the expansion will play a part in the economic regeneration of Rotherham while easing congestion in areas to the west of Sheffield.

News of the proposals were met with a mixed response from the public during an early consultation period.

But Roy Wickes, Director General of the SYPTA, told BBC News Online this was because they were not told the exact routes.

"We hadn't given any detailed plans because there wasn't any to give - so some people were sceptical," said Mr Wickes.

Public consultation

The SYPTA is proposing to extend the Supertram from Ranmoor to Rotherham Parkgate, and from Dore to Hellaby.

Mr Wickes added: "The reaction in Rotherham is similar to that in Sheffield ten years ago, but it's interesting to note there is very strong support in Sheffield for any extension."

"The are lessons to be learned from Sheffield where people felt the same, but they now see it as strong asset for the area in which they live."

He confirmed that a new public consultation, with detailed plans of the proposed routes, was now being launched.

The SYPTA plan to sit down with the Department for Transport in the next six to nine months to work out funding for the scheme.

Under current government funding guidelines, 25% of the money must be secured locally.

But Mr Wickes said this was a figure that the government needed to clarify.