Progress with Rochdale town centre Metrolink line

Trams in Rochdale Town Centre for final testing

Peter Cushing, Metrolink Director at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “There is no delay to the opening of the Metrolink extension to the town centre. The line is scheduled to open in spring this year, just as we have maintained throughout all communications to stakeholders and the public.

“What many people will have observed in July last year was the very first stage of testing and ensuring that the new infrastructure meets defined standards, some of which comes down to a matter of millimetres. It also involved the testing of the overhead power lines, which require a tram to run along the route. These were just the first stages in what is an extensive testing and commissioning process.

“After the power line testing is complete, the route must be fitted with the correct fixtures and the tram management system, which controls vital aspects such as signalling and communication.

“This lengthy and intricate part of the process must also be completed alongside other major changes to the network, such as the opening of the Ashton-under-Lyne extension in October last year and the imminent opening of the Oldham town centre line.

“For instance, we used the nine-day blockade of Metrolink services between Rochdale Railway Station and Central Park to undertake two full days testing of the systems on 20 and 21 January. This removed the need to perform the tests at night which is not only cost effective but also prevented disruption to residents.

“Once this stage is complete then the drivers must undergo training to ensure that they are familiar with the route.

“As always, we will continue to keep all local residents and businesses as up to date as possible and let them know what to expect in the coming months.”