Tram journey worth the wait

Seven years after the tram stop was built, tenants at Ask: Goodman's Central Park in Manchester are able to benefit from services running on the Metrolink network.

The park's 5,000 daily workers and visitors are able to alight directly from the new Oldham line in the 90-acre business park.

Central Park is 1.5 miles or five minutes on the tram from Manchester Victoria, and 20 minutes from Oldham. The £36.5m transport interchange was completed in readiness for the tram's arrival in 2005.

James Raven, development director of Ask: Goodman, said: "The arrival of Metrolink means that Central Park is delivering on its promise to be a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable office location.

"People using the Central Park stop can now experience the stunning gateway interchange, and the improved accessibility will encourage occupiers and visitors to use modern, efficient public transport in place of the car."

Central Park is home to Greater Manchester Police, Fujitsu, North Manchester NHS, and the One Central Park business incubation centre joint venture between Manchester College, Manchester Science Park and Manchester and Salford universities.

Also benefitting from the Metrolink's arrival is The Sharp Project, Manchester's digital production complex, which is next to Central Park.

The new Oldham line calls through Manchester city centre and then travels on to the South Manchester line, ending at St Werburgh's Road in Chorlton. Passengers can connect with services to Bury at Victoria and services to Altrincham, Eccles and MediaCityUK in Manchester city centre. They can also link up with bus services at Central Park and Shudehill, or heavy rail services at Manchester Victoria.