Major overhaul planned for Altrincham Metrolink line

Transport bosses have welcomed plans for an overhaul of tram stops along the Altrincham Metrolink line this summer.

GMPTE, which owns the tram system, has presented plans for a raft of improvements to Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority’s (GMITA) Development and Operations Committee.

The plans include improvements to passenger facilities, signage, security and access, as well as a bright new look using the new Metrolink colours – yellow and silver.

Structures and ticket offices at some stops would be refurbished, while the Navigation Road stop is also in line for more parking spaces and additional improvements.

Councillor Matt Colledge, Chair of GMITA and Deputy Leader of Trafford Council, also welcomed the plans, saying: “This is great news and I look forward to seeing a new look for the Altrincham Metrolink line by the end of the summer.

“I am sure existing passengers would welcome the improvements that are in store and I believe they would encourage even more people to travel on Metrolink in future.”

Councillor Richard Knowles, Chair of the Development and Operations Committee, said: “These proposals are very welcome and are a reflection of the amount of work and investment that we are putting into improving Metrolink for existing and future passengers.

“We’re currently building four new tram lines and we want the stops on the existing lines to offer as welcoming an environment as the new stops will. We are going to look at the Bury stops next year, subject to available funding.”

The plans and associated funding will be presented to GMITA’s Policy Committee at its next meeting in June for approval.

The improvements are scheduled to take place during a month-long closure of the line in August, at the same time as major expansion work and technical upgrades.

During August, work will take place to join the Altrincham line to the new line being built from Trafford Bar to Chorlton, as well as the new tram depot.

At Cornbrook, the track layout will be extensively remodelled to accommodate the new MediaCityUK tram service and to provide greater operational flexibility and service availability.

All the overhead electrical cables and some of the supporting structures on the Altrincham line will also be replaced. Replacement bus services will be provided during the closure, and an information campaign will be launched in the summer.

All the Metrolink track in Manchester city centre is currently being replaced to help make journeys smoother, quieter and more reliable.

40 new trams are also on order for the new expanded network, along with 200 state-of-the-art ticket machines.

Passengers can get more information about Metrolink services at www.metrolink.co.uk or by calling Metrolink Customer Services on 0161 205 2000. Lines are open between 7am and 11pm, Monday to Friday, and between 10am and 6pm at weekends.