Greater Manchester could see an even larger light rail network if plans confirmed in a recent press release come to fruition. Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham has his sights set on not only expanding the existing Metrolink network with more traditional services but also to introduce the very first tram-train services for the region.
This is all part of the Mayor’s plans for the Bee Network to allow it to support continued growth and prosperity across the city region (said to be the country’s fastest growing) with better “rapid transit” (which may include fast frequent bus, tram or train services carrying large numbers of people). Rail services are set to be integrated into the Bee Network (with those routes which do join set to see at least two trains an hour in operation) and fares will be integrated with the remainder of the network.
But it’s the proposals for 15 new rapid transit routes which are probably the most intriguing – with some of these being long in the planning and others at a much earlier stage of development.
In total there are 15, what are described as, “emerging priorities” and further work will now take place to identify the top 3 which could:
- Make best use of existing infrastructure
- Serve major centres, whether or away from existing lines, and link jobs in key growth areas
- Provide frequent and fast services – running on mainly segregated alignments
- Provide excellent access to and/or through the main demand drivers for rapid transit (the Regional Centre today and Manchester Airport in the future)
- Integrate well with land use planning and with existing and new inter-city rail services and lines
The 15 emerging priorities are:
- Tram-Train pathfinder: Bury-Heywood-Rochdale-Oldham
- Outline Business Case is being developed for the introduction of the region’s first Tram-Train route connecting Bury, Heywood, Rochdale and Oldham, as well as the new generation vehicles which would be needed to run the service. Total route length 25km. Includes the East Lancashire Railway and any new tram-train service would need to take into consideration all existing services on the current alignment.
- Tram and busway options from North Manchester towards Middleton and Northern Gateway
- Business case is being investigated to fill a gap in rapid transit systems between Metrolink Bury line and National Rail line to Rochdale.
- Tram-Train through East Manchester towards Glossop, Hadfield and Marple
- Longer term option for current rail services to be converted to tram-train which could make use of existing Metrolink services that terminate at Piccadilly.
- Tram-Train from Tameside to Stockport via Denton and Reddish
- To be looked at holistically alongside other work centred on Stockport
- Tram and or Tram-Train from South Manchester to Stockport and Hazel Grove
- Work in progress on a business case for a Metrolink extension, this includes considering tram-train options as part of a wider future network
- Tram-Train from Stockport to the Airport
- Would depend on the completion of the Metrolink Airport “Western Leg” first.
- Metrolink Airport line “Western Leg” completion
- To serve a number of key growth areas including Wythenshawe Hospital and Medipark, existing and proposed housing at Newall Green and Davenport Green and expanded Terminal 2 and Airport City. Some powers for this remain in place from the 1990s.
- Tram-Train services to the north-west, west and south-west of the Airport
- Options include links to Metrolink Altrincham line to Airport via existing Mid Cheshire line and proposed Western Leg
- Busway corridors to the west and east of the Airport
- Provide more local connections, complementing any tram or tram-train options
- Metrolink Trafford Park line extension
- Short extension to serve major developments at Trafford Waters, Salford Stadium and Port Salford
- Tram-Train on the line to Warrington Central
- Longer-term options for tram-train services on this line, but could be considered for major new tunneled capacity in city centre.
- Tram connection from Salford Quays to Salford Crescent
- Short extension of less than 1.5km could connect The Quays and MediaCityUK with Salford Crescent railway station. Business case currently being investigated,
- Further tram connections between the city centre and Salford Crescent
- Transformative proposals for the A6 are included in local development frameworks so longer-term options being considered. Includes considering role that a shorter spur from St Peter’s Square to Spinningfields or Salford Central could play.
- Tram-Train on the Wigan via Atherton line
- Longer-term option, although issues with city centre capacity.
- A step change in regional centre capacity
- Longer term options for major new tunneled capacity from north west to south east and south west to north east
As well as the big projects being considered, TfGM will also be looking to:
- Sustain a well maintained, resilient and reliable system – including continuing to invest in Metrolink renewals
- Accommodate growth in passenger numbers with a new fleet of next generation Metrolink vehicles that have tram-train capacity
- Drive growth in passenger numbers by opening new stops and station and improving existing ones
With all the above – as well as keeping active travel at the forefront – it is hoped to support the city region’s commitment to be carbon neutral by 2038.
Burnham promised Stockport so it will go there regardless.
Any commuter services that terminate at Piccadilly station that can be switched onto the adjacent tram network would free up train paths to improve longer-distance rail service frequencies eg to Sheffield and the Mid-Cheshire line. Currently there are no train paths available at Piccadilly to improve any rail services.
Is that saying they are going to take over ELR?