Manchester Metrolink’s Second City Crossing has walked away with its first award – less than six months after opening. The line won the Transport Policy, Planning & Implementation award at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport ‘North West Region Awards for Education and Excellence’ whilst outgoing Metrolink Director Peter Cushing was also honoured.
Peter’s award was for ‘Services to the Passenger Transport Industry’ and was in recognition of his work in the rail and light rail industries including overseeing the £1.5bn expansion of Metrolink.
Cllr Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “I’m very pleased to see Peter’s hard work in the transport industry – and in delivering the expanded Metrolink network for Greater Manchester – recognised with this award. The new city centre tram line has been an immediate success, linking some of the city’s key employment, leisure and shopping areas. The new Exchange Square stop and redevelopment of St Peter’s Square – the busiest stop on the entire network – have been great for the tram network and the city centre. The Second City Crossing is allowing more people than ever to travel on a more reliable network with more than 37 million annual customer journeys now made on Metrolink.”
Peter Cushing added: “It’s an incredible honour to have your life’s work recognised by the industry. Metrolink has been a fantastic success for the people of Greater Manchester and I’m privileged to have been involved and able to work with some of the best people in the business. The Second City Crossing was the final piece in the jigsaw of a multi-million pound programme of investment and improvement for the city, so I’m delighted to see all the hard work of everyone involved in delivering this project, from planning to opening, recognised by the industry with this award.”