TRANSPORT experts -- including Strategic Rail Authority chairman Sir Alistair Morton -- discussed regional issues when they met at Manchester Airport.

They checked on the progress of the airport's £60 million ground transport interchange -- a project designed to create seamless travel into the heart of the airport by rail, bus, coach and Metrolink.

The interchange is due to be completed by 2003.

Discusson focussed on rail priorities identified during the recent Greater Manchester Strategic Rail Study.

Key priorities highlighted included:

The Western Rail Link -- a route which would improve access to Manchester Airport from Liverpool, North Wales, Cheshire, the Midlands and the West Coast Main Line.

Unlocking capacity constraints around Manchester Piccadilly through track, signalling and junction improvements to open up the potential for both local and long distance services.

Exploiting the potential of "tram-train' services to add further to the success of Manchester's Metrolink network and open up access to the airport from wider parts of the region.

Improving the quality and accessibility of stations throughout the network including improved integration with other modes of public transport.

Sir Alistair, who is due to leave the job this year, said: "The strategic study builds on the £1 billion investment currently being invested in the Greater Manchester rail network and provides the framework for further improvements to the network.

"The SRA look to the creation of a new TransPennine Express to unlock the potential of rail on this corridor, and then a new Northern franchise can be the key to improving local services."