Home | Metrolink Introduction | Oldham and Rochdale Line: updated 24 November 2007 | pages list
See City Centre for a description of Victoria, Piccadilly, G–Mex and the lines between them.
The existing Metrolink line is shown light green on the diagram, phase 3a is shown red, phase 3b orange and the main line railway blue. At some future date, a railway station may be provided at Central Park.
Manchester to Oldham, phase 3a
At Irk Valley Junction, about 1.8 kilometres from Victoria Station and near the Metrolink depot, this line branches off the Bury line. It will then run over the eastern half of the closed Cheetham Hill loop line.
Monsall, the first new stop, will be to the west of Jocelyn Street and in the existing railway cutting. A new foot path — between Monsall Street, near Lathbury Road, and Ruislip Avenue — together with a new bridge over the cutting, steps and DDA compliant ramps will give access to the platforms. Additionally there will be two lifts, one from each platform, to the bridge link.
Central Park stop, approximately midway between Monsall and Dean Lane, is part of The Gateway a new entrance from Oldham Road to phase one of the business park. An impressive structure has been built for the stop, it is to the north the railway line and on the west side of the road. Bus interchange facilities are also included.
Oldham Road, the rail and future Metrolink lines are at similar levels. The pedestrian route passes under both lines before rising again, towards Northampton Road. There is a steeper dive and rise for the roadway.
The Design Build Maintain Contract for this line will be arranged so that the Irk Valley Junction to Central Park section is completed first. This can be done with a minimal effect on Network Rail. A Metrolink service from Central Park to Manchester Victoria and beyond may then be started.
In the 320 metres between The Gateway and Thorp Road a new concrete bridge has been built to carry Metrolink. A central load bearing ‘fin’ along the top which supports this bridge; together with the twisting design enables it to pass over the railway and then quickly drop to go through a disused bridge under Thorp Road. Metrolink tracks will then run alongside the railway towards Dean Lane.
At Dean Lane the present Manchester bound track and platform will be upgraded for Metrolink use, similar to Navigation Road on the Altrincham Line. Double track running resumes beyond the stop.
Freight trains will use the present Oldham bound track for access to the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Depot.
Failsworth and Hollinwood stations will be retained and updated to Metrolink standards.
South Chadderton, a new stop, will be between Drury Lane and Stanley Road. A footpath crosses under the line in this area. Freehold, a new stop, will be on the west side of Block Lane.
Oldham Werneth is to be retained as a stop in phase 3a. If the platforms are relocated slightly, still using existing the entrances, to the west side of Featherstall Road; then this stop could also be used for phase 3b.
The railway line from Werneth to Mumps, through the tunnels and south of Oldham Way, and these stations will be converted to Metrolink.
Oldham town centre line, phase 3b
This begins at Featherstall Road where it turns north towards Middleton Road, turning east for the Westwood stop. After crossing Winterbottom Street the line will turn to run alongside the Oldham Way slip road before passing beneath Manchester Street. The line will continue in a short tunnel before surfacing at the King Street stop.
Trams will then run the length of Union Street, part of which is shared with road traffic, pausing at Oldham Central, a tram stop located to the west of Clegg Street.
A new ground level tram and bus interchange will be built at Mumps to the north of Oldham Way (A62), the line will then rejoin the railway route to Rochdale.
Oldham to Rochdale, phase 3a
Derker and Shaw stops will be upgraded to Metrolink standards. The Shaw stop may be relocated south of the level crossing at Beal Lane, removing the need for terminating trams to cross the road.
The line between Shaw and Rochdale is a single track. It will be redoubled as far north as possible towards the Leeds–Manchester line.
Newhey and Milnrow stops will be upgraded to Metrolink standards. Kingsway Business Park is a new stop which will serve this development. Newbold will be a new island platform stop between Kingsway and Milnrow Road. The embankment will be altered so this stop is at ground level alongside the Morrisons supermarket car park .
A flyover will carry Metrolink over the Manchester via Rochdale to Leeds main line. The tram route will leave the railway alignment and pass along High Level Road to a stop in Maclure Road in front of Rochdale Railway Station.
Rochdale town centre line, phase 3b
From here trams will run on–street along Maclure Road, turning right onto a reserved section, which is on the south side of Drake Street and includes the stop. At the junction of Drake Street with Oldham and Milnrow Roads on–street running resumes along Drake Street. The route terminates in the heart of Rochdale by the town’s bus station.
Home | Metrolink Introduction | Oldham and Rochdale Line: top of page | pages list
This page was written and illustrated 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.