TfGM reveals Exchange Square designs

Transport for Greater Manchester has released new artist’s impressions showing what the new city centre Metrolink stop at Exchange Square will look like when it opens this winter.

Foundations for the new stop are being laid on Corporation Street outside the Manchester Arndale shopping centre, as part of Metrolink’s transformational second city crossing.

Construction work on the stop will start this summer after TfGM and Manchester City Council agreed a final design that makes the most of limited space in Exchange Square while keeping room for pedestrians.

Architect SimpsonHaugh & Partners’ island-style platform design will feature a coloured steel and glass shelter with four overlapping glazed roof panels. The pavilion style will make sure that the stop is visible in long views across Corporation Street.

On stop furniture such as information displays and seating will be integrated into polished concrete columns.

Work started last year to lay second city crossing tracks on the section of the new line between Manchester Victoria and Exchange Square, which is being funded by a European Regional Development Fund grant.Metrolink Exchange Sq 2

Trams could be running between Victoria and Exchange Square by winter 2015/16, allowing Metrolink to run more trams between Shaw and Crompton and the city, ahead of the whole second city crossing being completed in 2017.

The second city crossing will run begin on Lower Mosley Street and run through St Peter’s Square, down Princess Street, along Cross Street and Corporation Street and into Manchester Victoria station.

As part of the second city crossing project work to transform the Deansgate-Castlefield stop is nearing completion, and work starts next month at the St Peter’s Square stop which is being relocated and expanded from two platforms to four.

Cllr Andrew Fender, chairman of the TfGM committee, said: “We’re seeing real progress with the second city crossing with track works well advanced along Corporation Street and work due to start this summer on brand new stops for St Peter’s Square and Exchange Square.

“The ultramodern designs for the new Exchange Square stop are impressive and it will be a great addition to a lively area of the city, making it even easier to visit the great range of shops, cultural and leisure destinations in the area.

“The second city crossing also promises to improve travel both across the city and further afield, with more trams connecting more people with jobs.”

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