Bridging the gap from heavy rail to Metrolink

Transport bosses in Greater Manchester today backed proposals for alternative travel options to cater for the conversion of the Oldham Loop Line to Metrolink later this year.

Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) welcomed in principle plans for express and regular bus services to support passengers during the closure of the heavy rail line from Saturday 3 October.

The aspirations have been developed following a detailed study of rail users’ travel patterns, and aim to provide a range of bus services tailored to local travel needs.

Discussions are ongoing with bus operators and a major public information campaign will be launched in the summer, once these talks are complete.

Councillor Richard Knowles, Chairman of GMITA’s Development and Operations Committee, said: “We’re very much aware of the need to ensure there are regular, reliable transport options for passengers while we eagerly await the completion of Metrolink to Oldham and Rochdale.

“A great deal of careful consideration and planning has gone into developing these bus plans, all informed by passenger surveys. I am confident the services we are seeking will offer realistic travel options for people along the loop line.

“Along with Northern Rail, we are also making the case to the Department for Transport to use trains currently running on the loop line to supplement services between Manchester and Rochdale.

“We are now going to work with bus operators to finalise our proposals so that we can launch a major information campaign in the coming months.”

The two-and-a-half-year Metrolink construction project will see trams running to Rochdale by spring 2012.

Metrolink services will run between Rochdale and Manchester every 12 minutes.

New Metrolink stops will be built at Freehold, Newbold and outside Rochdale railway station on the Oldham and Rochdale line.