TfGM outlines St Peter’s Square tram plans
The Metrolink tram stop at St Peter's Square in Manchester will be closed for 14 months from next summer as part of the construction of the second city crossing.
The project will relocate the existing stop to allow for greater public space in the main area of the square. Two island platforms will be created and two sets of existing track will be replaced with four sets of new track.
Improvements will also be made to public and pedestrian areas to complement Manchester City Council's redevelopment of the square.
In a similar operation to the current Victoria stop closure, single line running will be introduced for 10 months to allow engineering works to be carried out, maintaining a service through the city.
Transport for Greater Manchester said there would be two eight-week periods either side of the single line running, when all tram services through St Peter's Square will be temporarily suspended.
Cllr Andrew Fender, chairman of the TfGM committee, said: "This is a massive project that requires significant changes and will, unavoidably, come with a level of disruption.
"Having the summertime closures – when the holiday period is in full swing and services are quieter – either side of the single line running means we can instead get everything done as quickly as possible whilst maintaining a service through the city."
TfGM said the redevelopment of the Deansgate-Castlefield stop will be complete before the changes at St Peter's Square come into effect and will provide a turning point for trams south of the city centre during the closure and the single line working.
The second city crossing is due for completion in 2017. The line will begin in Lower Mosley Street and run through St Peter's Square, turn down Princess Street and head along Cross Street and Corporation Street before re-joining the existing Metrolink line at the expanded Metrolink Victoria stop.
In addition to the redevelopment of the Deansgate-Castlefield, St Peter's Square and Manchester Victoria stops, a new stop will be built in Exchange Square.
- For more information on the second city crossing programme, visit www.transformationinformation.co.uk
Fingers crossed it’ll be be delivered as ahead of schedule as the Airport extension #Mcrleadingtheway
By McrLass
Wasn’t all the scaremongering re the yes vote/vote yes saying we wouldnt get this if we didnt vote yes to the congestion charge! Bit naughty.
By Dot Poland
It will be delivered’ ahead of schedule’, due to massive overestimation of the original build period, in order to ensure political plaudits all round for ‘ speedy’ construction.
By Wolfie Smith