The inbound side of the new island platform at Deansgate-Castlefield is to open to passengers from Tuesday 26th August with the current inbound platform being closed and demolished as the redevelopment of the stop continues. The new layout currently being constructed at Deansgate-Castlefield will see the existing outbound (to Altrincham/Eccles/East Didsbury) platform retained with a new island platform constructed directly opposite rather than the current layout which sees staggered platforms in place.
As well as the new platform being constructed the works will see two new crossovers installed at the stop which will enable services to be turned at Deansgate-Castlefield from either direction which will be helpful at times of disruption and also during the major works at St Peter’s Square due to commence in 2015.
Peter Cushing, Transport for Greater Manchester’s Metrolink Director, said: “This is a really important project not just for passengers who use the stop but for the Metrolink network as a whole. Once complete it is going to significantly improve access to one of our most popular stops, as well as transforming the look and feel of the whole area. But as part of the wider 2CC programme, the additional track we’re installing will introduce a new and very important level of flexibility, operationally, that will benefit a much wider audience. The new inbound platform opening will be the first really tangible sign of the changes ahead, and I’m really looking forward to delivering what will undoubtedly be a fantastic new facility for passengers.”
The new platform will be fully operational from Tuesday 26th August but some fixtures and fittings will not be installed by this date but they will follow in the coming months as the work on the stop redevelopment reaches a conclusion, which is expected to be by summer 2015 to allow work to move to St Peter’s Square.
The Altrincham/Eccles/Didsbury platform will also be replaced!
I just hope that the opportunity will be grasped AT THIS TIME to make the junctions at each end of the 2nd Cross-city line three-way, thus giving the maximum possibilities for alternative routings. Vision is needed here!
Neither junction is to be three way as you describe it. Space doesn’t really exist at either site for the missing connections to be made even if it was felt desirable.