Public ‘approves TfGM Trafford Metrolink’
More than 1,500 responses have been received by Transport for Greater Manchester during its consultation on the proposed Metrolink line to Trafford Park, with 89% in favour of the project.
As part of Greater Manchester's devolution agreement announced on Monday, TfGM secured £350m for the development of the line.
During the 12-week public consultation held this summer, 89% of comments were in favour of plans to build the 5.5km tram line through Trafford Park to the intu Trafford Centre, and 5% were not in favour.
The scheme design is now being amended in light of comments received during the consultation. TfGM is due to submit a Transport and Works Act Order application later this month for parliamentary powers to construct the line.
If the necessary powers are granted, work on the extension could start in 2016.
The majority of the line is proposed to run segregated from the highway, branching off from the existing Pomona stop and through to the intu Trafford Centre.
Six stops are planned as part of the scheme, at Wharfside, Imperial War Museum, Village, Parkway, EventCity and Trafford Centre.
Cllr Andrew Fender, chairman of the TfGM committee, said: "We've had an overwhelmingly positive public response to our plans for another tram line through Trafford. For many years there has been a great deal of enthusiasm and popular demand for a tram service to the Trafford Centre. Of course this Metrolink line will also mean hugely improved and sustainable transport links to Trafford Park – one of the region's largest employers.
"We're getting everything in place so that this scheme is shovel-ready to start work in 2016 with a view to opening it by the end of the decade."
More information is available at www.tfgm.com/TraffordParkLine
What I don’t understand is why the tram has to stop at Altrincham – looks like it could easily continue to Hale with a few modifications to the station. I would use the tram but the walk from south Hale to Altrincham takes 25 minutes so it’s just not a viable option. I am sure there is a huge untapped market in Hale, as the train service in to Manchester is useless and the line is hardly used.
By Richard WIlliams
thank goodness there is little on the road! Its bad enough around the Trafford Centre and people drift across lanes etc, its worse in school hols and christmas when people go for perhaps the first time! Throw trams into the equation and could get even crazier!
By Bob Dawson
Agree with the above RE Hale, I’d like to see it extanded to Knutsford personally, the train is so poor
By RETEP
Do you have any idea how long a journey to Knutsford would take?! Its called MANCHESTER Metrolink. If you need the tram that badly, move somewhere where it goes… i.e. most of Greater Manchester!
By mancboi
There was a plan to extend the Metrolink to Knutsford however it was cancelled after the cost-benefit analysis revealed it wouldn’t be worthwhile. I agree Hale needs better rail links though.
By edh