At a meeting of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) at the end of July funding of £0.5 billion was confirmed from the Greater Manchester Transport Fund to deliver three new tram lines serving Oldham and Rochdale and Oldham town centres and to Manchester Airport via Wythenshawe. GMPTE quickly moved to appoint contractors to design, construct and maintain the lines with MPact-Thales (MPT) the consortium chosen. In addition a further 14 trams have been ordered from Bombardier – bringing the total order to 62.
Lord Peter Smith, Chair of the AGMA Executive, said: “Public transport has a crucial part to play in supporting Greater Manchester's economy and these Metrolink extensions will give a huge boost to the region. I am delighted that these vital projects can now go ahead. The major transport schemes covered by the Greater Manchester Transport Fund have been prioritised based on their value to the regional economy. They have been identified as schemes that will support economic recovery and future growth by both creating jobs and improving access to jobs, education, leisure and healthcare. If delivered in full, the investment programme is forecast to increase total employment in Greater Manchester by 21,000 by 2021 above what it would otherwise have been. Overall, the potential programme is forecast to be worth £1.3bn per year by 2021. These new Metrolink lines in particular will also be the catalyst for regeneration in several areas, so today's announcement is great news."
Cllr Ian Macdonald, Chair of GMITA, added: “We are delighted that we are now at a stage where we can press ahead with delivering Metrolink lines to Manchester Airport and Oldham and Rochdale town centres. This further expansion of the Metrolink network will be a real boost both to the local areas as well as Greater Manchester as a whole, supporting the future growth of the regional economy, taking car journeys off the roads and vastly improving public transport links."
Manchester Airports Group has also agreed to provide a contribution to funding for the Airport line and it has been suggested that trams will operate between 0300 and 0600 on the line to the Airport – to cover shift changes. If this proves to be loss making the Manchester Airports Group are likely to cover the costs.
Speaking about the appointment of MPT, David Leather, Chief Executive of GMPTE, said: “Following the approval of funding support from AGMA and GMITA, we have concluded negotiations for the delivery of the long awaited expansion of the Metrolink network. Contracts have now been signed for new lines to Manchester Airport and the town centres of Oldham and Rochdale, adding to the construction that is already underway from Manchester through Droylsden to Ashton, from Manchester through Chorlton to East Didsbury and the conversion of the former heavy rail line to Rochdale via Oldham. This milestone in Metrolink history will see the system almost treble compared to today's network. With the support of our Delivery Partner, Parsons Brinckerhoff, and the experience of MPT we are confident of successful delivery of the new lines."
MPT is a consortium of Laing O’Rourke, VolkerRail and ThalesUK and have already begun work on the three new lines. It is anticipated that trams will be running to Oldham and Rochdale town centres in spring 2014 and to Manchester Airport in mid 2016.
Bryan Diggins, MPT Project Director, said: “It is a great achievement for the consortium to continue working together on this critical project. This award will allow us to complete the original vision for Manchester, providing the vital link from the urban areas of the city to the Airport, and essential town centre links for both Oldham and Rochdale."
Source: GMPTE & Watcherzero