The Department for Transport have given their approval to the small extension of Manchester Metrolink to serve the MediaCity:UK complex off the Eccles line with the giving of the Transport Works Act Order. The approval was given after consideration by the Secretary of State for Transport, Geoff Hoon, following investigation into the one objection received to the plan.
The one remaining objection (two other objection letters were received initially but they were withdrawn before investigation) came from a local resident – Mr Nicolson – who was not against the idea to serve MediaCity:UK but rather the restrictive stub line planned. Mr Nicolson said the the spur line would “not serve the best interests of the travelling public and would limit the success of the Salford Quays development.” His suggestion was that a loop line be constructed so all Eccles line services would serve the development – although this would have slightly increased journey times between Eccles and Manchester City Centre.
The Secretary of State rejected Mr Nicolson’s idea as he had not seen any evidence to persuade him there would be sufficient demand (particularly from those travelling from the western end of the Eccles line) to justify the significantly more expensive proposals.
Mr Hoon approved the TWAO as “GMPTE’s proposals for the Media City extension are in all the circumstances reasonable and appropriate and that it is therefore in the public interest to confer on GMPTE the powers needed for the scheme. He has therefore decided to make the Order, subject to some drafting amendments which do not affect the substance of the Order.”
The short spur line will leave the current Eccles line just south of the Broadway tramstop.
Source: Department for Transport