45,000 to get Metrolink lowdown

‘The Link’ newsletter front cover

Thousands of people living near the new Metrolink routes will be able to find out more about the project next week.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) is launching a newsletter about the new lines to Oldham and Rochdale, Droylsden in Tameside and Chorlton in South Manchester.

The Department for Transport gave its final approval for the £575 million expansion earlier this year, and transport bosses appointed M-Pact Thales UK to carry out the work in June.

‘The Link’ newsletter is being posted to 45,000 homes and local businesses during the next two weeks to keep people up-to-date about the project.

Philip Purdy, GMPTE’s Metrolink Director, said: “Construction work on the lines won’t start until next year but there’s already lots of preparation work taking place.

“We’re carrying out detailed surveys along the routes so that the designs can be finalised. The 6-page newsletter will give people an overview our plans, and includes maps showing the new routes.

“There will major benefits to local residents and businesses when the new lines are up and running, but there will be some disruption while work takes place to build them. We want to make sure people are kept informed about what’s happening.”

The three new Metrolink lines will cover nearly 20 miles and include 26 stops. The new 14-mile (22.5 km) Metrolink line to Oldham and Rochdale will replace the railway line which links the two towns with Manchester.

The stations on the line will be converted into Metrolink stops, and new stops will be built at Newbold and outside Rochdale train station on the section of the line in the Rochdale borough. Trains will continue to run on the railway line between Manchester, Rochdale and Leeds.

Trams are due to begin running to Central Park in East Manchester and St Werburgh’s Road in Chorlton in spring 2011, Oldham Mumps in autumn 2011, and Rochdale and Droylsden in spring 2012.

The Metrolink network could be extended even further in the future using money from the government’s Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) and a loan supported by the introduction of a congestion charge.

The TIF package of up to £3 billion includes extensions to Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury, Manchester Airport, and Oldham and Rochdale town centres. Funding has also been earmarked to build a new line to Trafford Park and the Trafford Centre.

A formal consultation on the TIF proposals is currently taking place and a referendum will be held later this year.