Greater Manchester plans tram lines to every Borough

 

Transport for Greater Manchester has started planning extensions to its Metrolink tramway system that if achieved will see every Borough in the conurbation served by trams. The government has already approved extensions to Stockport and Heywood. Now a Bee Network committee report has identified 15 candidates for new lines and extensions, with planning of six new lines to start in the New Year.These include tram-train operations for the first time. These include Stockport to Manchester Airport and Altrincham to the airport. Airport Western Leg would be a tram project. The other three lines would serve the north-west quarter of the conurbation: Salford Quays to Salford Crescent (tram), City centre to Salford Crescent (tram) and Wigan via Atherton (with options for Bolton and Leigh), tram-train. Work will also start on designing the next generation of Metrolink vehicle. The current fleet of 147 M5000 trams will need to be replaced in the second half of the 2030s. 

 

TfGM said, 'New lines and extensions are major projects. With the need for such schemes to develop strong business cases, identify and secure funding, undertake extensive community engagement and a full public consultation - and then complete detailed design and procure and mobilise contractors for construction, testing and commissioning - the timescale to the opening of any new line or extension is of the order of a decade, so the mid-2030s'.