Metrolink Trafford Park Line is a new tram line being constructed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
It will run from Pomona to the intu Trafford Centre, connecting some of the busiest tourist regions in Greater Manchester.
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The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) approved the development of Trafford Park Line in October 2013. Construction of the project commenced with minor work in late-2016, while the ground-breaking ceremony was held in January 2017. The line is scheduled for completion in 2020.
Trafford Park is the biggest employment area in Greater Manchester, with over 1,300 businesses employing more than 35,000 people.
The new tram line will provide quick access to locations along the route and the wider tram network. It will also offer services to major tourist attractions such as Old Trafford football stadium, the Imperial War Museum North, and EventCity.
Metrolink’s total network will be increased to 103km served by 99 stops once the Trafford Park line becomes operational.
Trafford Park Line details
The 5.5km-long tram line will run from the Pomona Metrolink stop to intu Trafford Centre via Trafford Park.
Trafford Park Line will feature six new tram stops along the route, including Wharfside stop near Manchester ship canal and Manchester United football club.
The Imperial War Museum North stop will have access to MediaCityUK through the existing footbridges, while the Village stop will be located near Village Circle and Third Avenue.
Parkway tram stop will be situated next to the existing Parkway Circle roundabout. It will also feature a park-and-ride facility, which will have the capacity to accommodate 200 vehicles.
The EventCity stop will be located by Barton Square and EventCity, while the Trafford Centre stop will be the line’s terminus at intu Trafford Centre on Barton Dock Road.
Trafford Park Line construction
Highway works of the line at intu Trafford Centre were completed in October 2017. A 13.5t footbridge was removed from the Crumpsall Metrolink stop in January 2018.
The first piece of the track was laid at Parkway Circle for Trafford Park Line in February 2018. A bridge was constructed over the Bridgewater Canal next to the Park Way in September 2018.
Track works are underway at EventCity, Parkway, Village Way, and Warren Bruce Road.
Crumpsall Metrolink stop upgrade details
The existing Metrolink stop at Crumpsall will undergo a major transformation as part of the new Trafford Park line. It will serve as the northern terminus for the Trafford Park line.
The upgrade of the stop is being completed in two phases. Phase one works involved the construction of a track-level pedestrian crossing and the addition of a set of steps on the Bury-bound platform. The pedestrian ramp, redundant lift shaft, and footbridge were also demolished.
Lighting and CCTV systems at the stop were improved and new overhead line poles and wires installed during the first phase.
Phase two will involve laying of the track at the Crumpsall stop, which will provide turnaround service for Trafford Park line services. The platform will be extended to accommodate Manchester-bound services.
The stop will also be installed with new shelters, lighting, signage, CCTV systems, driver facilities, as well as a new stop equipment room. A new access ramp and steps from Crumpsall Lane will be built under phase two.
Funding
The new line is expected to be completed at a cost of £350m ($446.5m). The city region’s leaders signed the Greater Manchester’s Devolution Deal for funding the line in 2014.
Trafford Council also committed to providing £20m ($26.2m) for the development of the line.
Contractors involved
TfGM awarded a contract to MPact Thales (MPT) and WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff for the delivery of Trafford Park Line in December 2016. MPT is a consortium of VolkerRail, Laing O’Rourke, and Thales.
VolkerRail and Laing O’Rourke are responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of the civil works and track, whereas Thales will provide the tram operating systems.
WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff will continue to be the delivery partner for TfGM for the Metrolink Trafford Park Line development.
