Proposed developments of Manchester Metrolink

This is a list of confirmed or proposed future developments of the Manchester Metrolink light rail system in Greater Manchester, England.

A class 399 tram-train vehicle in operation on the Sheffield Supertram network. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority is investigating the use of similar vehicles to extend services onto under-utilised heavy rail lines across Greater Manchester and beyond.

GM Transport Strategy 2040 Delivery Plan (2021–2026)

In January 2019, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority published a draft delivery plan detailing its transport priorities for the next five years. Contained within the document are options to extend some Metrolink lines as well as expansion of Metrolink-style services onto the local heavy rail network using tram-train vehicles.[1] Following consultations, a revised draft delivery plan was published in January 2021, with the publishing of the final plan, subject to approval, in February.[2]

Business cases to be completed within the next five years

Options to be further developed over the next five years
  • Further interventions to improve Metrolink capacity and reliability: Includes longer vehicles, a third depot and double-tracking currently single-track sections.
  • Manchester–Stalybridge extension: An extension of the East Manchester Line from Ashton-under-Lyne to Stalybridge.
  • Manchester–Middleton extension: A proposed spur from the Bury Line connecting to the town of Middleton.
  • Oldham–Middleton extension: A spur from Oldham to Middleton.
  • MediaCityUK–Salford Crescent: A line connecting the MediaCityUK tram stop to the Salford Crescent railway station interchange. Further new Metrolink.
  • Connections between Salford Crescent, Inner Salford and the City Centre: Extension of the MediaCityUK–Salford Crescent line into the regional centre.
  • Completion of the Airport Line (Wythenshawe Loop): Completion of the Wythenshawe Loop by connecting the Metrolink lines between the Davenport Green and Manchester Airport Terminal 2 extensions.
  • Port Salford/Salford Stadium extension: Extending the Trafford Park Line from the Trafford Centre to a proposed container terminal at Port Salford.
  • Glossop tram-train: A tram-train service utilising the Glossop line between Manchester and Glossop in Derbyshire.
  • Marple tram-train: A tram-train service utilising the Hope Valley line branches north of Marple towards Manchester.
  • Manchester–Wigan via Atherton tram-train: A tram-train service utilising the Atherton section of the Manchester–Southport line between Manchester and Wigan.
  • Manchester–Warrington tram-train: A tram-train service utilising the southern route of the Liverpool–Manchester lines between Manchester and Warrington.
  • Stockport–Hazel Grove tram-train: A tram-train service between Stockport and the suburb of Hazel Grove.
  • Stockport–Manchester Airport tram-train: A tram-train service between Stockport and Manchester Airport.
  • Rochdale–Bury via Heywood tram-train: Extension of the Oldham–Heywood tram-train pathfinder from Heywood to Bury.
  • Manchester Airport-Mid Cheshire tram-train: A tram-train service from Manchester Airport using a proposed Western Link rail line to the Mid-Cheshire line.
  • Stockport–Ashton via Denton and Reddish tram-train: A tram-train service utilising the Stockport–Stalybridge line from Stockport to Ashton.
  • Cornbrook–Manchester Airport via Timperley tram-train: A tram-train service from Cornbrook using the Altrincham line to Timperley, the Mid Cheshire line to Baguley, then the Wythenshawe Loop to Manchester Airport.
  • Regional centre metro tunnel: Providing capacity for more services on the network.

Projects to be investigated beyond the 5-year delivery plan

As part of (now rejected) developments related to bringing High Speed 2 (HS2) and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) to Manchester, High Speed Two Limited had proposed the present two-platform Piccadilly Metrolink stop at ground-level below the existing station platforms to be relocated.[3] A new larger four-platform stop located underground below the Manchester Piccadilly High Speed station was planned to replace it. Provision for a second ground-level Metrolink stop at the eastern end of the high speed station to service future Metrolink extensions, to be called Piccadilly Central, also formed part of the plans. At the proposed Manchester Airport High Speed station provision for a new Metrolink stop — potentially serving an extension from the existing Airport line — was also envisaged.[4]

Previously proposed or suggested developments

Buckley Wells

Buckley Wells tram stop has been proposed to provide better passenger access in southern Bury, and would be on the Bury Line between Bury Interchange and Radcliffe tram stop.[5]

Oldham extension

In January 2016, Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham West and Royton, proposed two loop extensions to the Metrolink system around Oldham:

  • A spur from Westwood tram stop on the Oldham and Rochdale Line to Middleton town centre, then joining the Bury Line near Bowker Vale, in line with the proposed Middleton extension.
  • The Ashton Loop, extending the line beyond Ashton town centre to Oldham Mumps.

Both would connect Rochdale to its neighbouring towns without the need to travel in and out of Manchester city centre. Initial high level feasibility work was undertaken by officials at Transport for Greater Manchester which demonstrated the route is technically possible.[6]

Salford expansion

In Salford City Council's 2004–2016 unitary development plan:

In January 2019, it was revealed as part of a plan for new houses in Greater Manchester that the Metrolink would be extended to Salford Stadium.[8]

Stockport tram-train strategy
See also: South Manchester Line

In January 2015, Stockport Metropolitan Borough adopted a Rail Strategy proposing substantial conversion of current rail alignments around Stockport to tram-train operation, running into an interchange at Stockport bus station. These proposed services expand on, and are consistent with, those outlined in the TfGM tram-train strategy document. Earlier plans (now discarded) had envisaged the Metrolink line to East Didsbury being extended to Stockport along the Mersey Valley. The revised plan proposes instead a revised alignment for this link via Edgeley and Stockport railway station.

In the Rail Strategy, Stockport MBC also outline longer term aspirations to establish tram-train services between Stockport town centre and Marple; and between Stockport town centre and Ashton town centre.[9]

References
  1. "GM Transport Strategy 2040 Draft Delivery Plan (2020-2025)" (PDF).
  2. "GM Transport Strategy 2040 Draft Delivery Plan (2021-2026)" (PDF).
  3. "Phase 2b Western Leg Information Paper F1: Manchester Piccadilly Station" (PDF). gov.uk. 24 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  4. "Phase 2b Western Leg Information Paper F2: Manchester Airport High Speed Station" (PDF). gov.uk. High Speed Two Limited. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  5. "Manchester Metrolink, United Kingdom". railway-technology.com. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  6. "Jim's loop lines vision for trams". www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  7. "City of Salford Unitary Development Plan 2004–2016 Saved Policies". Salford City Council. 2004. p. Accessibility. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  8. "Greater Manchester: New homes plan to tackle 'housing crisis'". BBC News. 6 January 2019.
  9. "Stockport Rail Strategy" (PDF). January 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
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