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An Introduction to Metrolink

The origins of Metrolink, developments to date and plans for the future.		  

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Mainline railways arrived in Manchester during the 1830s and 40s. Developments up to the 1980s, resulted in two unconnected networks, north and south of the city, neither of which effectively penetrated the centre. The Rail History page is an outline of developments from 1830 to Metrolink, recent alterations are also noted.

The early 1980s scheme would have converted five lines; Altrincham, Bury, Rochdale via Oldham, Hadfield/Glossop and Marple/Rose Hill and reopened the old Midland route from Trafford Bar to East Didsbury. Mainly used for local traffic, these lines could be separated from main line tracks. New street running track would join them, provide cross city connections and ready access to the city centre. Railway developments, including the 1989 diversion of transpennine mainline services through Guide Bridge, made conversion of the eastern lines more difficult. The Droylsden and Ashton–under–Lyne route came from further studies.

System plan (10.3KB)

The plan shows existing metrolink lines in green. Metrolink phase 3a extensions and Mediacity:UK spur, are shown in purple. Phase 3b extensions are shown in orange. Links for these line pages are in the plan and the text. Main line railways are in blue. Descriptions work away from the delta junction in the City Centre. Second city crossing not shown.

In 1987 the Government required investment of some private sector capital before authorising the scheme. See the Funding page for details. The network was to be built in stages and the first stage had to be able to stand on its own. Thus the Altrincham Line, Bury Line, and City Centre street running tracks were phase one of Metrolink. This opened from Bury to Victoria on 6 April 1992; Victoria to G–Mex on 27 April; G–Mex to Altrincham on 15 June; then the branch to Piccadilly Rail Station on 20 July 1992.

The Eccles Line from Cornbrook, on the Altrincham line, through Salford Quays and on to Eccles became phase two. This opened to Broadway on 6 December 1999 and Eccles on 21 July 2000. City South describes the segregated sections from G–Mex to Trafford Bar and Chorlton.

In March 2000 the Government accepted that it would be better if the Metrolink extensions were built as a single project rather than line by line. This was to have been another Design, Build, Operate and Maintain contract. Increasing costs — see Metrolink Phase Three on the Funding page — resulted in the Government refusing funding in July 2004.

The Back On Track Campaign page describes events up to mid December 2004 when the Government reinstated GBP520 million funding — subject to GMPTE developing a satisfactory plan.

Proposals for Phase 1 and 2 Upgrades were sent to the DfT on 27 January 2005. The first round received Government approval on 6 July 2006 and the second round on 1 February 2008. More details at Phase 1 and 2 Upgrades on the Funding page.

Greater Manchester’s new Integrated Transport Strategy was submitted Government on 8 April 2005. Under this plan there will be separate contracts for upgrading the existing system, providing additional vehicles, building the extensions, ongoing system maintenance and operating the whole network.

Phase 3a of the expansions received conditional approval on 6 July 2006. Now under construction these are; conversion of the Oldham and Rochdale railway line, building of the Ashton route from Manchester to Droylsden, building the Chorlton route from Trafford Bar to St. Werburgh’s Road stop. The Mediacity:UK spur on the Eccles line is also being built with Phase 3a.

After selecting the M–Pact Thales consortium as preferred bidder, GMPTE went back to the Department for Transport. Final sign off for Phase 3a was received on 16 May 2008. GMPTE has appointed M–Pact Thales to design, build and maintain the new lines.

GMPTE has ordered FLEXITY Swift M5000 trams from Bombardier; these will run on both existing and new lines. See the New Vehicles page for more information; also new trams photo gallery for pictures.

For Phase 3a, a new Tram Operating System is required. At present Metrolink uses a Line of Sight in the city centre and on the Eccles line beyond Pomona; with fixed block two aspect signalling on the Altrincham and Bury lines. The new system, based on Line of Sight working, is being installed in 2010.

On Saturday 3 October 2009 the last train ran on the Oldham and Rochdale line. Metrolink is expected to open between Manchester and Central Park in Spring 2011. Trams are also due to begin running to St Werburgh’s Road in Chorlton by Spring 2011, Oldham Mumps by Autumn 2011, and to Rochdale and Droylsden by Spring 2012.

The new Greater Manchester Transport Fund will enable Metrolink phase 3b extensions. Droylsden to Ashton–under–Lyne and Chorlton to Didsbury are accelerated. Oldham and Rochdale town centres, Chorlton to Manchester Airport and City Centre second crossing will follow on. Available details are in the line pages.

A referendum in December 2008 rejected the TIF bid proposals. Beyond phase 3b page describes the Airport line Wythenshawe loop which was not in TIF bid also the Pomona to Trafford Centre line which was, but now has no funding. The Stockport extension is subject to Transport & Works Act approval; it also requires funding.

The pages about Metrolink are based on information published by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE), the GMA Group who built phase one and Altram who built phase two.

Other Metrolink pages

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This page was written by Tony Williams, Manchester Area Officer, Light Rail Transit Association. Contact manwebm@lrta.org if you have any comments, ideas or suggestions about these pages.

City Centre City South Oldham and Rochdale line Bury line Eccles line Altrincham line Ashton Line Didsbury Line Airport Line