Metrolink announce early opening date for Trafford Centre line
The new £350m Metrolink line to the Trafford Centre will open on Sunday 22 March, approximately seven months earlier than planned, Transport for Greater Manchester has announced.
The launch date announcement comes immediately after the successful completion of the project and handover of the new line to the operator, KeolisAmey Metrolink, whose drivers are currently undertaking a rigorous training programme before welcoming the first passengers onboard.
Metrolink is already the UK’s largest tram network, running to a total of 96km and 93 stops. The new Trafford Park line will add a further 5.5km of track and six additional stops, bringing the total to 99.
Footage from Transport for Greater Manchester.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “It’s great that the Trafford Park line will open for business on Sunday 22 March. It is a much-needed addition to the Metrolink network and will encourage more people to use public transport to journey around our city-region, and in doing so reduce congestion on our roads and improve the quality of our air.
“Last June I set out Our Network - a vision for the type of world-class transport network I want us to have here in Greater Manchester. This new line is a great step towards that, and a shining example of what we can deliver with the right funding and powers.”
The Trafford Park line runs through Europe’s largest industrial estate, including global brands such as Kellogg’s, Unilever, Missguided, L’Oreal and Adidas.
The new stops will also provide access to the Intu Trafford Centre, Old Trafford stadium and Imperial War Museum North.
Leader of Trafford Council, Councillor Andrew Western, said: “The opening of the Trafford Park Line will be hugely important for the continued development of the local and regional economy. It is fantastic news for the tens of thousands of people who come to Trafford Park and the surrounding areas for work and leisure.
“It will also help get more cars off the road as visitors will now have a real transport alternative via Metrolink to some of the country’s most famous retail and leisure destinations including Manchester United and the Imperial War Museum.”
Transport for Greater Manchester’s Chief Executive, Eamonn Boylan, added: “A project of this size and scale is a huge undertaking and we are pleased at how smoothly it’s come together, meaning we’re opening the line much sooner than we anticipated. We’re very pleased to be welcoming passengers on board and opening up the Trafford Park area for workers, shoppers and visitors. I have no doubt it’ll make a huge difference to the area, particularly to the many local businesses.
The mutually-beneficial deal between intu Trafford Centre and TfGM offers them opportunities to promote their leisure and retail destination alongside TfGM – the commercial income generated will be reinvested back into the Metrolink network.