Manchester Metrolink’s New £350 Million Trafford Park Line To Open In April
The title of this post is the same as that of this article on Rail Magazine.
The Wikipedia entry for the Trafford Park Line, says this about the planned opening.
The final stretch of track was laid November 2019, with the first test trams running soon after. In December 2019 it was announced that the line was expected to be opened in April 2020, seven months earlier than originally planned.
I wonder why, the line is opening early.
It would be interesting to know!
It could be the old chestnut of bad planning, with planners putting in a lot of float, so they are not late.
The Junction At Pomona Station
This Google Map shows the junction at Pomona, where the Trafford Park Line leaves the Eccles Line.
I don’t know when the picture was taken, but you can clearly see tracks going West.
Wharfside Tram Stop
This Google Mapshows the Wharfside tram stop.
It does look like there are only a few more tracks to lay.
The Trafford Park Line And The Imperial War Museum North
This Google Map shows the Trafford Park Line threading its way past the IWM North.
The works seem mainly complete.
The Terminus At The Trafford Centre
This Google Map shows the Trafford Centre.
The tram stop will be in the North East of the Centre.
This enlargement shows ithe tram stop more clearly.
Note that the tracks will be extended to the North-West to Port Salford on the other side of the Mancvhester Ship Canal.
Tram Services On The Trafford Park Line
Trams will run between the Trafford Centre and Crumpsall on the Bury Line.
- Crumpsall has been updated with a third platform.
- Trams will call at Deansgate-Castlefield, St. Peter’s Square, Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street, Stutenhill and Manchester Victoria station in the City Centre.
- At present there appear to be no plans to connect the Trafford Centre with Manchester Piccsadilly station.
It looks to be that some passengers will change in the City Centre to get to and from the Trafford Centre.
The Anonymous Widower 
I am inclined to think that it is being opened early because time was built in for delays. The tram stop is to be outside Selfridges, opposite Asda and Costco. The building of it has caused road problems, the whole section of road from where you come off the M60 from Stockport (have never grasped the clockwise/anti-clockwise way of describing M60), all along the road towards TC, Event City, Asda etc. and a big new roundabout to take road traffic off down to Barton Square and Event City. In my opinion the stop isn’t in a very disabled friendly place, unless they are planning to have a scooter/wheelchair hire place near the stop. Otherwise, people will have to get through the scrum which is at that side of Selfridges to pick one up. That said, scooters are now collected from customer services close to the dome, which is hopeless for disabled people regardless of where they park.
Comment by nosnikrapzil | December 28, 2019 |
Fairly standard for Metrolink – announce a very relaxed opening date and then open early gaining lots of Brownie points with the electorate.
Another factor AIUI is that the contractors can bill when they actually finish, so there is an incentive to do so to improve cash flow if nothing else.
Comment by R. Mark Clayton | December 28, 2019 |