Home | Metrolink Introduction | South Manchester and Airport Line updated 30 May 2007 | pages list
This line will provide a rapid, reliable, high quality public transport corridor for the Western side of South Manchester; linking central Manchester, Old Trafford, Chorlton, Wythenshawe, and Manchester Airport.
See City Centre for a description of Victoria, Piccadilly, G–Mex and the lines between them; also City South from G–Mex to Cornbrook, Trafford Bar and Chorlton.
The Altrincham and Eccles lines are shown in light green on the diagram. Phase 3a is shown red and phase 3b orange, the western side of the loop is shown grey. Trafford Centre line is shown purple. Main line railways are shown blue. Definite stops are shown as filled circles whereas possible stops are shown unfilled.
Phase 3a
For a detailed description of this part see City South page.
Phase 3b
After St Werburgh’s Road stop the South Manchester and Airport line leaves the former rail route to run on a mostly segregated alignment with short sections of street–running.
The route passes Chorlton High School, with a possible future stop at Hough End, then runs in the central reservation of Mauldeth Road West to a stop at Barlow Moor Road.
Metrolink will then run on–street along an improved Hardy Lane to Hardy Farm stop. The route will cross the Mersey Valley open space on the way to the Sale Water Park stop at Rifle Road, this will serve Sale Water Park and nearby housing. The line will then turn east to follow the M60 before crossing the motorway to thread through and serve residential areas with stops at Northern Moor (Sale Road), Wythenshawe Park and Moor Road. Parts of Moor Road will be shared with general traffic.
The line will then cross Altrincham Road and run alongside Southmoor Road. Baguley stop will be where the route crosses the Stockport to Altrincham railway line. Platforms may be provided for the railway lines, forming an interchange. Note that the former Baguley railway station was almost one kilometre nearer Altrincham.
Roundthorn stop, at the south end of Southmoor Road, will serve the large industrial estate as well as nearby housing. The line will continue to the Airport largely on reserved track. On Hollyhedge Road, to the east of the M56, there will be a section of street tramway.
There will be stops at Martinscroft, Haveley, Benchill, Crossacres, Wythenshawe Town Centre, Robinswood Road, Peel Hall, Shadowmoss and Woodhouse Park before reaching the Transport Interchange at the Airport.
GMPTE will retain and protect powers for the western part of the loop, shown in grey, from the Transport Interchange to Roundthorn via Davenport Green, Newall Green and Wythenshawe Hospital stops. The Metrolink Expansion Maps published by GMPTE in July 2006 show this section as subject to further funding.
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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.