Construction work on the new East Manchester Metrolink line – linking Piccadilly Station with Droylsden – is progressing well, with the first sets of tracks being laid on Ashton New Road. The latest sections of construction work on the line have recently been inspected by Councillors from GMITA and Tony Lloyd – MP for Manchester Central.
Piling rigs have recently been in use to create the retaining walls of a new underpass under Great Ancoats Street and the first set of tracks have been laid on New Ashton Road. On other parts of the route the utility diversions are running to schedule and the foundations of Metrolink stops in Holt Town and Sportcity are beginning to take shape.
Cllr Richard Knowles, Chair of GMITA’s Capital Projects Committee, said: “It is great to see that work on the line is continuing at such a good pace. The progress that has been made in the past year is very pleasing to see. The first sets of tracks on Ashton New Road are now going down and work is taking place all along the route in one form or another. It is really beginning to take shape, which is very exciting. We are grateful to local communities for bearing with us through the work, but I can assure them that it will be worth it when they see trams running through East Manchester from spring 2012."
Tony Lloyd, MP for Manchester Central, added: “It's great to see the work on the ground bringing the Metrolink ever closer to people living near the new lines. Metrolink is a high quality, high performance transport system for a 21st Century city."
Bryan Diggins, Project Director for MPact-Thales, commented: “Laying the tracks along Ashton New Road marks an important milestone, as we begin to see the Metrolink line develop. The MPT team would like to thank residents and road users for their continued patience as we deliver the East Manchester Metrolink line."
The line is due to open in spring 2012 and runs for 3.9 miles (6.3km) from the existing Manchester Piccadilly stop through East Manchester to Tameside. Eight new stops will be built at Pollard Street, Holt Town, Sportcity serving the City of Manchester Stadium, New East Manchester serving the Velodrome, Clayton, Edge Lane, Cemetery Road and Droylsden.
Source: GMPTE