Since the Trafford Park line opened in March there have been no active extensions of Manchester Metrolink in development but that could all change in the near future with the confirmation of funding for a feasibility study to link Bolton to the network while over in Middleton councillors have said brining Metrolink to the town is a priority.
We’ve previously mentioned the Bolton Metrolink plan on these pages with the early stages of bidding for funding and in a recent announcement by Chancellor, Rishi Sunak MP, it has been confirmed that there will be funding available for a feasibility study. The plan would see Bolton linked with Radcliffe and Bury mainly using disused railway lines.
Meanwhile, bringing trams to Middleton is said to be a priority for transport in Rochdale. Cllr Allen Brett, Council Leader, said: “I would like us, as a council, to say that the Metrolink to Middleton is our number one priority on the Metrolink line and we need Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to really up their game on that. And, can I say, that I think it is vital. We are getting, now, improvements to Junction 19 of the M62 to Heywood and I think we need the Metrolink to come to Middleton.”
Both of these projects are at a very early stage and if either do come to fruition it will be a long time before we may see trams in Bolton or Middleton.