Metrolink park and ride trial extended

Rochdale Station's Park and Ride car park

Metrolink is extending its free overnight parking trial.

Launched in December 2015, the trial offers free overnight weekend parking at selected Metrolink stops, meaning anyone travelling to work or enjoying a Friday or Saturday night out can leave their cars and catch the tram – providing they collect it by 12pm the following day.

The trial, which was due to conclude on 5 March 2016, has been extended until 30 July 2016, to allow for a full evaluation report to be completed.

An online survey has also been launched to get feedback from Metrolink customers.

Brooklands, Navigation Road, Stretford and Bury have proven to be the most popular sites used by drivers taking up the overnight parking trial so far.

In total more than 2,500 parking spaces are available at the 15 trial sites.

They are:

Brooklands (108), Stretford (33), Navigation Road (81), Bury (100), Crumpsall (43), Prestwich (36), Radcliffe (369), Whitefield (216), East Didsbury (302), Ladywell (250), Hollinwood (190), Oldham Mumps (270), Rochdale Rail Station (217), Derker (251) and Shaw and Crompton (90) stops.

Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) Metrolink Director, Peter Cushing, said: “We’ve had a good number of people make use of free overnight weekend parking since the trial started so I’m pleased to be able to extend it until the summer.

“The night-time economy in many areas served by the network is thriving and I’m sure our customers who go for a night out, or work a late shift, have appreciated being able to catch the tram without having to worry about leaving their car behind.

“To help us properly evaluate how successful this trial is we need our customers’ feedback. I would therefore encourage anyone who has taken advantage of the trial or who has any views about it to complete the online survey, as their views are genuinely very important to us.”

The review of parking hours has been prompted by the recent rapid expansion of the Metrolink network, which has tripled in size to 93 stops, and opened up many more travel opportunities for both shift workers and people planning a late night out at venues right across the region.