Three awards in four weeks isn’t too bad is it? Well that is exactly what has happened for the Manchester Metrolink extension to the Airport which is now celebrating the award for Major Civil Engineering Project of the Year (over £50m) at the British Construction Industry Awards.
The Manchester Airport line opened to the public in November 2014 – more than a year ahead of schedule – and has seen passenger numbers exceed expectations which is more impressive when you consider it doesn’t actually reach Manchester City Centre yet.
Previous awards for the line have been the Civil Engineering Achievement of the Year at the National Rail Awards 2015 and the Project of the Year (over 50m euros) at the Light Rail Awards.
Peter Cushing, TfGM’s Metrolink Director, said: “This is the third major national award for the Airport line, which speaks volumes about this impressive major civil engineering project, and I congratulate everyone involved in its delivery. Not only was the Airport line up and running more than a year ahead of schedule, but just under a year later it is already being used by 20% more passengers than predicted. It is exactly the kind of major transport scheme that delivers both huge economic and regeneration benefits, while making a real social difference to the communities it runs through.”