Moving away from St Peter’s Square for the last in this series of “Manchester Metrolink Then & Now” as we go to Old Trafford.
Whilst Old Trafford has long been part of the Metrolink network with it being one of the converted railway stations on the Altrincham line the area around it has changed in more recent years thanks to the construction of a second Metrolink depot alongside.
In this first view taken on 4th March 2009 we look along Elsinore Road which ran alongside the tramway and seems to be a very popular place for parking with cars lined up on either side of the road (and pavement). On the right we see a major construction site, and that would eventually become the home of Trafford Depot.
The new depot opened in 2011 with the formal transfer of the main control room following two years later. On 28th April 2024 we head back to the same location as the last photo and its barely recognisable. Gone is the through road and lots of cars parked with it now being an access road to the depot and the tramstop is now blocked by a line of trees. Ahead is an entrance to the depot with M5000 seen and Metrolink offices beyond. (Both Photographs by Keith Chadbourne)
These are pictures of what used to be called Warwick Road station. A “then” photo of Old Trafford Station should really feature what is now called Trafford Bar Station, at the northern end of Seymour Grove.