Have your say on city tram route

Rochdale’s future tram travellers can help decide which route a second Metrolink line is to take through Manchester city centre.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is to build the second route through the heart of Manchester to avoid tram congestion from new extensions, to improve reliability and make future maintenance of the tracks easier.

Building of the line is likely to start in 2013 and open in late 2016 — two years after Metrolink reaches Rochdale and Oldham town centres.

A public consultation on the new city crossing has been launched and will run until September.

Although chiefly aimed at Mancunians, it is expected that many from other parts of Greater Manchester will have views to express — particularly those from towns like Rochdale and Oldham who will use it.

Central to the consultation is a proposal to move Manchester’s Cenotaph from its present site to another in St Peter’s Square.

The proposed line will run from the Deansgate-Castlefield stop, through St Peter’s Square, along Princess Street, Cross Street and Corporation Street to re-join the existing Metrolink line just outside Victoria Station.

TfGM’s Metrolink director, Philip Purdy, said: “A second city crossing will play a vital role in helping to build a strong and prosperous economy for Manchester, providing the necessary capacity, flexibility and reliability for the future tram network to operate.

“The current Metrolink extensions and service enhancements programme mean that, by 2021, the number of people getting to Manchester city centre by tram is set to treble.

“I hope as many people as possible take the time to look at the proposals for the second city crossing and let us know what they think.”

Under the proposals there will be a new, larger tram stop at St Peter’s Square, as well as a new stop at Exchange Square and enhancements to Metrolink facilities at Victoria Station.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Proposals to sensitively relocate the Cenotaph within St Peter’s Square have only been brought forward after careful consideration with veterans’ groups, church authorities and other relevant parties.”

TfGM will host a number of exhibitions for people to find out about the proposals. They are at: Manchester Town Hall, 9am to 5pm on June 27, July 7, July 14, July 19; Bridgewater Hall, 8am to 5.30pm on July 11, August 2; Exchange Court, Manchester Arndale, 9am to 8pm on June 29, July 2, 11am to 6pm on July 10; Triangle, 9am to 6pm on July 16, July 23; and Victoria Station, 7am to 7pm on June 30 and July 5.

The consultation will close on September 9. Email comments to 2cc.metrolink@tfgm.com.