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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 Ashton–under–Lyne route came from further studies.

System plan (10.5KB)

The plan shows existing metrolink lines in green. Extensions are shown as phase 3a in red, 3b in orange, Mediacity:UK spur is shown in light purple, Trafford Centre in dark purple and Stockport in brown. Main line railways are in blue. Links for Metrolink Line pages are in the plan and the text. Descriptions work away from the delta junction in the City Centre.

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 south of G–Mex that are, or will be, shared by two or more lines.

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.

Under the plan, adopted in April 2005, there will be separate contracts for upgrading the existing system, providing additional vehicles, building the extensions, ongoing system maintenance and operating the whole network.

On 28 July 2005 GMPTA agreed that the western side of the Wythenshawe loop, shown grey, would not be built, thus saving over GBP40m in capital costs. However the powers will be safeguarded, for possible future development.

Phase 3a is now approved, it will convert the railway line to Oldham and Rochdale, build the Ashton–under–Lyne route as far as Droylsden and the southern routes to St. Werburgh’s Road in Chorlton.

Phase 3b will consist of the Oldham and Rochdale town centre sections, Droylsden to Ashton-under-Lyne, also the lines from Chorlton to Manchester Airport and Didsbury. This will be a key part of the GMPTE 2007 Transport Innovation Fund bid.

The extension to Stockport is subject to Transport & Works Act approval and requires further funding.

GMPTE has powers for the Trafford Park and Trafford Centre line. The 2007 Metrolink Network Schematic Map shows this line and Phase 3b as TIF complementary schemes.

Some GBP 200 million has already been spent on the phase three extensions, see the Advance Works page for details.

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 Altrincham Line Didsbury South Manchester and Airport Stockport Ashton-under-Lyne Eccles Line Trafford Park and Trafford Centre Bury Line Oldham and Rochdale