All clear for town centre Metrolink line

Councillor Keith Whitmore, Vice Chairman of GMITA, Councillor Ian Macdonald, Chairman of GMITA, and the Leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Irene Davidson

In a historic decision, Greater Manchester's leaders have given the green light to the Metrolink extension which will see the city region's iconic tram system run to Rochdale town centre.

At a meeting of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) on Friday, the leaders of the city region’s ten local authorities confirmed funding of £0.5 billion from the Greater Manchester Transport Fund to deliver the tram line which is one of three across Manchester.

The announcement means Metrolink trams will be running to Rochdale town centre by spring 2014.

Councillor Irene Davidson, the Leader of Rochdale Council, said: “It’s fantastic news for Rochdale that AGMA has confirmed this funding.

“The extension from the train station to the town centre, along with the development of the transport interchange on Smith Street, will mean it will be easier than ever for people to travel to and from Rochdale, and they will be arriving in style on high quality public transport.

“It provides a great alternative for car users and will help alleviate congestion on approaches to the town centre.

Councillor Davidson added: “The extension also supports our plans for the town centre redevelopment. The Metrolink stop will be on Smith Street close to the new council building housing the customer service centre and public library, and it is next to the area that will be the focus for the new retail and leisure development, benefiting both current and future town centre businesses and shoppers.

“The line will also help people to get from the train station to the town centre, making it easier for those who are travelling beyond the borough for employment to use public transport. It’s a win-win for everyone; residents, businesses and visitors to Rochdale.”

It was also announced that Metrolink trams will also be running to Oldham town centre by spring 2014 and to Manchester Airport by mid 2016.

The Chairman of Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA), Councillor Ian Macdonald, said: “We are delighted that we are now at a stage where we can press ahead with delivering Metrolink lines to Manchester Airport and Oldham and Rochdale town centres.

“This further expansion of the Metrolink network will be a real boost both to the local areas as well as Greater Manchester as a whole, supporting the future growth of the regional economy, taking car journeys off the roads and vastly improving public transport links.”

Vice Chairman of GMITA, Councillor Keith Whitmore, said: “This historic announcement is excellent news and is a vital step towards delivering a 21st century public transport network for Greater Manchester.

“Both GMITA and AGMA have worked hard to get to this stage and I now look forward to work starting on the ground.”

In addition to the 48 new trams currently on order for Greater Manchester’s expanding Metrolink network, 14 new trams will be ordered to serve the extensions to Manchester Airport and Oldham and Rochdale town centres. This will bring the total number of new trams for Manchester’s expanded Metrolink to 62.