Metrolink changes go to TfGM committee

The proposed changes to tram schedules following the completion of the Second City Crossing, including the extension of services from Manchester Airport, are to be considered by Transport for Greater Manchester’s committee on 11 November.

It’s proposed that services will run seven days a week between Altrincham and Piccadilly, Bury and Piccadilly, East Didsbury and Rochdale, and Eccles and Ashton-under-Lyne. Additional services will run between 7am and 7pm Monday to Saturday linking Altrincham to Bury, East Didsbury to Shaw & Crompton, and MediaCityUK to Etihad Campus.

The plans also include the extension of services from Manchester Airport beyond Cornbrook, initially to Deansgate-Castlefield and from a later date on to Victoria.

All major construction work is scheduled to be completed before Christmas. Following a period of testing, the network will open early in 2017.

Cllr Andrew Fender, chairman of the TfGM committee, said: “The launch of the Second City Crossing will mark the completion of one of the biggest transport projects in the country. It will provide the flexibility and resilience a network of such size demands and open up new opportunities.

“In putting this service schedule forward, TfGM has made sure we continue to run high frequency services to major employment areas, and continue to target passenger demand along each route.”