Success of Trafford Park tram line strengthens case for Stockport Metrolink extension

Data revealing the success of the Trafford Park Metrolink line is helping to make the case for future expansion of Greater Manchester’s tram network, including an extension into Stockport.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), has revealed how since opening in 2020, the Trafford Park line has attracted investment to the region and help towards meeting the region’s sustainability goals: successes that could be repeated by expansion of the network elsewhere in the city-region.

Since the line opened in 2020, thousands have been encouraged to switch from cars or taxis to public transport. A third of passengers said they would have used a car or taxi if the tram wasn’t available, and 90% agreed it offers an attractive alternative to driving, equating to almost 700,000 car journeys taken off the roads in the 12 months from April 2024 to March 2025.

The line, which connects The Trafford Centre and Trafford Park with Manchester city centre, has played a key role in attracting investment and supporting new developments.Planning activity in Trafford Park has doubled since the line opened, and the average value of applications has risen by 76%.

Large scale planning applications combined with a rise in applications exceeding £10 million since the line opened suggests increased attractiveness for high-value investment, contributing to the area’s economic appeal. Residential development planning applications have also seen growth where the line passes through the Salford Quays area.

And the benefits go beyond travel and regeneration. Businesses are also seeing the impact. Between 2019 and 2022, the number of businesses in the area grew by 9%, despite wider economic challenges. Residential property prices rose by 31.7% between 2020 and 2023, outpacing other areas.

Businesses also report better staff access (80%), a wider labour pool (71%), and improved staff retention (55%).

Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, Vernon Everitt, said:

“The Trafford Park line launched in very difficult circumstances at the start of COVID but is now an integral part of the UK’s largest tram network, supporting growth and regeneration and connecting growing numbers of people to jobs and some of the best visitor attractions in Greater Manchester.

“The benefits of this line are clear, and we are working hard to bring these kinds of opportunities to other parts of the city-region. Backed by £2.5bn funding from government to deliver transport projects through to the early 2030s, we have exciting plans to further transform the Bee Network and unlock even more growth, prosperity and opportunity across the city-region.”

The £350 million funding package to build the line was secured by Greater Manchester Combined Authority through an arrangement with government as part of its devolution deal, with a £20m contribution from Trafford Council.

The Trafford Park line’s success is helping to build the case for further expansion of Metrolink – already the country’s largest light rail network, with proposals being developed for a new line to Stockport and an Oldham-Rochdale-Heywood-Bury tram-train route.

The plans support the Greater Manchester Strategy that sets out a vision for a world-class, integrated transport system that connects people to jobs, education and opportunity. Among its ambitions for transport is for 90% of residents to be within a five-minute walk of a bus or tram that comes at least every 30 minutes.