Metrolink services to Ashton to be suspended for two years as part of HS2 work?

The latest HS2 bill for the Crewe to Manchester section of the proposed line was presented which on the face of it should be mainly positive transport news and not really affect trams so what are we doing reporting about it here? The reason becomes apparent when you delve into more of the detail where it confirms that during the HS2 work the Piccadilly Metrolink station would be relocated and whilst these works took place there would be a period when no Metrolink service would be able to run on the East Manchester Line out to Ashton-under-Lyne. Whilst a spokesperson from HS2 said work would be phased to limit disruption its reported that the closure would be for up to two years from 2024 at the earliest.

There is no little doubt that the news of this potential extensive line closure will be a blow to those who rely on the Metrolink service along the route. Not least for events at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium which would be without a tram link for a long period and the promised bus replacement service during this period is surely unlikely to be a fully suitable alternative?

The main reason that the Ashton-under-Lyne line will be so badly affected by the HS2 works is that the current Metrolink stop in Piccadilly Station undercroft is to be replaced by a new enlarged Metrolink station in a box structure underneath the HS2 station. This will consist of four platforms (which will be extended length at 80 metres long) and will require Metrolink tracks to be realigned.

The Metrolink plans in this area are as follows:

• A new Metrolink station will be provided under the HS2 station in a box structure with four 80 metre long platforms. Two of the four tracks will head north-east from the centre of the box structure (the Ashton line connection) and will leave the box structure within a 11 metre wide and 100 metre long cut and cover tunnel that will pass beneath New Sheffield Street before emerging into a retained cutting and rising back up to ground level – reconnecting to the existing track immediately east of Fair Street. The other two tracks will head south-east along the northern wall of the box structure before rising at the eastern extent for approximately 110 metres to ground level where a potential new stop (Piccadilly Central – see below for more details) will be located.
• The existing Metrolink stop will be decommissioned along with the existing section of line which runs along the A6 London Road
• The Metrolink line will be realigned at the junction with the A6 London Road, to a position north-east of its current alignment, from where it will descend beneath Gateway House and Manchester Piccadilly High Speed station
• Provision for a second two platform Metrolink stop known as Piccadilly Central (immediately to the south-east of Manchester Piccadilly High Speed station on its northern boundary). This will be accessible from New Sheffield Street and will provide connection for a future extension to the east and service future developments around Mayfield and Pin Mill Brow.
• Connection of the relocated Piccadilly Metrolink stop to the Ashton-under-Lyne to Eccles Metrolink line
• Introduction of the New Islington turnback facility at the existing New Islington Metrolink stop to replace the existing turnback on Sheffield Street
• Introduction of the new Metrolink New Islington turnback satellite compound to manage construction works for Metrolink

The HS2 works are due to be split into six phases over four years and six months with the phases affecting Metrolink directly being:

• Phase 3 – there would be the phased construction of the Metrolink box structure and Ashton line connection works requiring the tram links through this section to operate as a single line running for a period. The document goes on to say that there would be single-line operation between Piccadilly and New Islington (which is the first stop of the Ashton line) for a nine-month period. A temporary track crossing and turnback will be put in place during this time by the existing stop.
• Phase 4 – would see the completion of the Metrolink box structure and Ashton line connection, which will require the use of a tram turnback by the existing Piccadilly Metrolink stop. The new Metrolink station would see completion with platform fit out, trackwork and tramways system put into place. This phase will see the temporary track and turn back at Piccadilly used for a period of two years – i.e. no trams will run to Ashton throughout this phase and won’t resume until the new Metrolink stop is fully functional.

In light of the bill being released Andrew Gwynne, Labour MP for Denton and Reddish, has stated that he will be tabling an amendment to make sure that TfGM can at least run a service between New Islington and Ashton-under-Lyne (its said this would be TfGM’s preference anyway). This would require a new depot built at Ashton Moss to house the trams.

Its still a few years away before the work starts but unless things change there could be a lot of disruption on the way for Metrolink passengers out to Ashton-under-Lyne.

• If you’ve got a spare few hours you can read the complete bill at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1046564/M23.pdf