Construction work in Droylsden town centre of the Manchester Metrolink extension is due to start from early May, as transport bosses pave the way for tram tracks along Manchester Road.
The arrival of a piling rig near to Droylsden Library will signal the start of main construction work, with concrete retaining walls being built to help widen Manchester Road and create a new footbridge. Work started earlier this year on utility diversion work along Market Street and this is currently running to schedule.
Philip Purdy, GMPTE’s Metrolink Director, said: “We've carried out a lot of work so far in Droylsden to get ready for this main construction work - and we're now in a position to start building the foundations of the new lines. Our work on Manchester Road will take place for most of this year, along with the utility diversions, but each day brings us a step closer to the sight of trams running to Droylsden. We'll continue to keep people and businesses up to speed as the project develops."
Temporary traffic lights will be in place on Manchester Road between the Jolly Carter pub and Water Lane for the next two to three months as United Utilities move manholes.
The line to Droylsden is due to open in spring 2012 and will see trams running every 6 minutes.
Source: GMPTE