Home | Metrolink Introduction | Metrolink phase 3b: updated 7 August 2009 | pages list
This page was first written in December 2008 after the referendum rejected the TIF bid proposals. It has been updated, following the anouncement of the new Greater Manchester Transport Fund proposals.
The plan, right, has also been updated.
Existing Metrolink lines to Altrincham, Bury and Eccles with the City Centre street running tracks are shown in green.
Metrolink phase 3a extensions and Mediacity:UK spur are shown in purple; these are being built.
The Greater Manchester Transport Fund extensions are shown in orange, except second cross city route. These are Manchester Airport, East Didsbury, Ashton–under–Lyne and the town centres of Oldham and Rochdale; descriptions of these are now on the line pages, together with phase 3a extensions details. Descriptions work away from the City Centre. Main line railways are in blue.
Second Cross City Route is part of the Greater Manchester Transport Fund Metrolink Phase 3b expansion proposals. It will use the existing route through G–Mex stop and down to road level; then run along Windmill Street (part), Mount Street, Lloyd Street (part), Albert Square, Cross Street and Corporation Street joining the present line into Victoria Station.
Chorlton to Manchester Airport and Wythenshawe loop; see below.
Trafford Centre line, shown in red; see below.
A proposed extension to Stockport is shown in brown. It requires Transport & Works Act approval. There is no funding for this line.
Chorlton to Manchester Airport and Wythenshawe loop
Phase 3a, confirmed extension, to Chorlton is shown in purple. The Airport and Didsbury extensions are shown in orange, they will be built with the new Greater Manchester Transport Fund. Main line railways are shown blue. Definite stops are shown as filled circles whereas possible stops are shown unfilled.
The original route of line was from Roundthorn including stops at Wythenshawe Hospital, Newall Green and Davenport Green and the Airport. Wythenshawe town centre loop was added to the original proposal following further investigation and public consultation by the GMPTE.
Shown in grey, the western side of the loop was dropped from the Metrolink Phase 3 proposals, see News 28 July 2005: Eastern option agreed for South Manchester and Airport Line.
GMPTE will retain and protect powers for this section. It will require further funding beyond the Greater Manchester Transport Fund proposals.
As part of a major new Ground Transport Interchange a 75 metre tunnel section under the Airport access road was completed in 2002.
Pomona to Trafford Centre
There are powers to build the Trafford Centre line, shown in red. Until the TIF bid proposals were made, total private sector funding was required; it was then included in included in the TIF bid. There is now no funding for this line.
Leaving Pomona the route wold have continued straight ahead and then descended to ground level. A former dock railway segregated alignment, which crosses under Trafford Road and is fenced off from the existing footpathwould have been used. Wharfside stop wold have been on this former railway land alongside the Manchester Ship Canal.
The route wold have crossed Trafford Wharf Road to a reserved way behind the hotel and then turned onto a disused part of the former Trafford Park Road. After crossing Waters Reach most of the route wold have been alongside roads but segregated from road traffic.
The Manchester United stop wold have been here on land at Trafford Park Road / Wharfside Way opposite M.U.F.C. coach Park. Then the Imperial War Museum stop wold have been at Elevator Road.
Further on the route wold have crossed Village Circle and run along the north side of Village Way turning into Third Avenue. The first alternative route in the TIF Proposals would have continued along Village Way rejoining the authorised route, just after Parkway stop, near Parkway Circle. Village stop wold have been on Third Avenue. At the southern end of Third Avenue the route wold have turned into Westinghouse Road.
Mosley Road stop wold have been on land at Westinghouse Road, west of junction with Mosley Road, Trafford Park. The route wold have then continued along Westinghouse Road.
Parkway stop wold have been on land at Westinghouse Road and Parkway. The route wold have then crossed the Bridgewater Canal.
Giants Field stop wold have been on land adjacent to Costco car park north of Barton Dock Road, Urmston.
The terminal stop wold have been at the upper level of The Trafford Centre, Barton Dock Road, Urmston.
The second alternative route in the TIF Proposals would have been a new southern route, which left the authorised route opposite the end of John Gilbert Way and reused an abandoned Trafford Park railway line alongside John Gilbert Way and Fraser Place before crossing the Bridgewater Canal. After running near the canal towards the canal junction, it would have joined the route of the railway line to the ‘Containerbase’ terminal. Beyond this it would have joined the authorised route, on the south side of Barton Dock Road, near the Trafford Centre. A potential secure Park & Ride site is shown in place of the ‘Containerbase’ terminal.
No stop details were given for either of the alternative routes.
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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.