Home | Metrolink Introduction | Airport Line updated 10 March 2010 | pages list
This line will create a new public transport corridor for the Western side of South Manchester; between the A56 Chester Road from Altrincham and the A5103 Princess Parkway. Linking central Manchester, Old Trafford, Chorlton, Wythenshawe, and Manchester Airport; it will greatly improve acces to areas south of the River Mersey, which are currently difficult to reach by public transport from the City Centre. Also it will form a quality link from various residential areas to Wythenshawe Town Centre, the Airport and associated development sites.
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, under construction, to Chorlton is shown in purple. Extensions to the Airport and Didsbury are shown in orange. Main line railways are shown blue. Definite stops are shown as filled circles whereas possible stops are shown unfilled.
Chorlton to the Airport — Phase 3b
After St. Werburgh’s Road stop the 14.5 km Airport line leaves the former railway to run on a mostly segregated alignment with short sections of street–running.
Hough End is a possible future stop, the route 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, which will serve Sale Water Park and nearby housing. A secure park and ride site will be provided here.
The line will then turn south–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.
Advance Works
GMPTE worked with National Grid to relocate a main transmission pylon in the Mersey Valley, this has made way for Metrolink just before it crosses the M60 motorway. The work was completed at the end of March 2004.
To avoid utilities, properties in Brownley Road have been acquired and demolished between Benchill and Crossacres stops in Wythenshawe. Between Peel Hall and Shadowmoss alterations to Ringway Trading Estate in Wythenshawe were completed in November 2003.
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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.