Home | Metrolink Introduction | Airport Line updated 10 August 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.
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| Some stops shown above will not be built, see the Stops section on this page. |
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.
Chorlton to the Airport — Phase 3b
This is a 14.5 km line which runs on a mostly segregated alignment with short sections of street–running. From a junction, south of St. Werburgh’s Road stop, the Airport line rises and diverges from the Didsbury line. Approaching Mauldeth Road West it turns right, running alongside the descending road before crossing one carriageway, to run in the central reservation to a stop at Barlow Moor Road.
Metrolink will then run on–street along an improved Hardy Lane before crossing the Mersey Valley open space on a tram only route to Sale Water Park stop at Rifle Road. This 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 at ground level north of the Stockport to Altrincham railway line. At some future date, 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, at the south end of Southmoor Road, will be the nearest stop to Wythenshawe Hospital. It will serve also 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.
Stops
A value engineering review has shown that a reduction in the proposed number of stops on this line would deliver better value for money and improve journey times.
Potential patronage, catchment areas, overall journey times and distances between stops were considered. Up to 800 metres walking distance from a stop is considered to be an acceptable catchment area.
Hardy Farm stop would be in the Mersey Valley open space with more than half of the catchment area as undeveloped green space. Passengers would still have an acceptable walking distance to the stop at Barlow Moor Road.
Stops at Martinscroft,near St. Martins Church, & Haveley, an expensive construction on the bridge over the M56, would only be 400 metres apart. They are to be replaced by a single stop to the west of the M56 near the Wendon/Hollyhedge Road junction.
Between Benchill and Peel Hall stops, catchment areas have considerable overlaps. It is proposed that one of either Crossacres or Robinswood Road be provided to serve Brownley Road properties.
Around half of Woodhouse Park stop catchment area is within the Airport operational boundary. It also has limited access to the residential area giving low potential passenger numbers. With road proposals which could affect the Metrolink alignment and possible airport developments served by the Airport Interchange stop; this stop is recommended as a potential option for removal.
There will be stops at Benchill, Wythenshawe Town Centre Peel Hall and Shadowmoss before reaching the Transport Interchange at the Airport.
Services
Monday to Saturday, between 06.00 and the following 00.30, a twelve minute interval service will operate in both directions. Additionally between 03.00 to 06.00 daily, a limited service of between two and five trams per hour will operate. Proposed Sunday service details are not yet available.
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.