August opening for Deansgate-Castlefield tram platform

One half of the new island platform at the Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink stop will be open by the end of August, as part of the construction of Manchester's Second City Crossing.

From Tuesday 26 August, the inbound side of the platform for trams heading into the city centre will come into service.

At the same time, the existing inbound platform will be closed and then demolished.

Although the platform will be fully operational, the final cosmetic fixtures and fittings will be installed at a later date according to TfGM, as work on the wider redevelopment of the stop is completed.

As well as the island platforms, two track cross-overs are being installed, which will allow trams to turn back in both directions.

The existing footbridge linking the stop with Deansgate Railway Station will be refurbished with grant from the European Regional Development Fund. In addition, a lift and steps will be installed at the Deansgate end of the stop and a pedestrian bridge and steps will be built at Albion Street.

Works at the Deansgate-Castlefield stop are expected to be completed by summer 2015.

Peter Cushing, Metrolink director at TfGM, said: "This is a really important project not just for passengers who use the stop but for the Metrolink network as a whole.

"Once complete it is going to significantly improve access to one of our most popular stops, as well as transforming the look and feel of the whole area.

"The new inbound platform opening will be the first really tangible sign of the changes ahead, and I'm really looking forward to delivering what will undoubtedly be a fantastic new facility for passengers."

The Second City Crossing will see a new tramline run from Lower Mosley Street, through Cross Street and Corporation Street, to Victoria station. The project is due to be operational in 2017.