Town Centre Metrolink line on schedule

Metrolink at Rochdale Station

Metrolink has said the new line to Rochdale town centre is on schedule to launch in spring.

Metrolink’s contractors used January’s nine-day blockade of the line between Rochdale Railway Station and Central Park to undertake two full days testing of systems on Rochdale’s new town centre line.

This removed the need to perform the tests at night, which is not only cost effective but also prevented disruption to residents.

Once this testing and commissioning is complete and drivers have been trained to ensure they are familiar with the route, the project will enter the very final stages involved with bringing a new Metrolink line into service.

Oldham’s new town centre Metrolink line is now up and running.

The new line has four new stops – Westwood, Oldham King Street, Oldham Central and Oldham Mumps, with the latter integrating tram and bus services and providing a new, free park and ride site for Metrolink passengers.

Journeys from Rochdale to Manchester take around 45 minutes, while journeys from Oldham Mumps take around half an hour.

The new line brings the size of the current Metrolink network to 48 miles (77km), serving 76 stops.