The new Metrolink line to Wythenshawe and Manchester Airport will launch before the year is out – more than 12 months ahead of schedule.
Trams will start to run along the route from Monday 22 June as the first stage of testing and commissioning commences.
In May 2009, a special fund of £1.5 billion was agreed for 15 transport schemes in Greater Manchester. This includes the Metrolink extension to Manchester Airport. MPact-Thales was appointed as the main contractor in August 2010.
Map showing Airport Metrolink extension – courtesy of Transport for Greater Manchester
The route
The 14.5km (9 miles) extension to Manchester Airport will leave the South Manchester Line after the St Werburgh’s Road stop in Chorlton and travel along Mauldeth Road West to Sale Water Park via Hardy Lane, creating a new route to the south. After crossing the M60, the line will travel via Northern Moor, Baguley and Wythenshawe to Manchester Airport, with a 300 space Park and Ride site proposed at Sale Water Park.
The benefits
The new Metrolink line will provide a fast, frequent, efficient and environmentally-friendly form of public transport for communities along the route who are not currently served by either tram or train. It will also improve access to recreational facilities and employment opportunities at Manchester Airport, Mersey Valley (including Sale Water Park) and leisure and shopping opportunities in Wythenshawe and surrounding areas. The line will also provide access to rail services from Manchester Airport as well as a providing improved links with bus services through the new interchange at Wythenshawe town centre.
The new line will have 15 stops at Barlow Moor Road, Sale Water Park, Northern Moor, Wythenshawe Park, Moor Road, Baguley, Roundthorn, Martinscroft, Benchill, Crossacres, Wythenshawe Town Centre, Robinswood Road, Peel Hall, Shadowmoss and Manchester Airport. Several major purpose-built structures have been built as part of the programme, including a viaduct over the Mersey Valley, two new bridges over the M60 and M56, and the Ringway Road dual carriageway and underpass at Manchester Airport. All the existing highway and street lighting and road signs along the entire route have been renewed and significant urban realm improvements have beenmade around each of the line’s 15 new stops.
The line is due to open in 2014 and services will initially run between Manchester Airport and Cornbrook.
Source: Metrolink