Work on the multi million redevelopment of Manchester Victoria railway station is continuing with the new station roof making progress. Metrolink services continue to run through Victoria without stopping: Rochdale-East Didsbury and Bury-Altrincham and will continue to do so until towards the end of 2014 by which time two new island platforms will have been constructed allowing for the expansion in Metrolink services. Photos provided by Steve Kemp.
3030 goes into Victoria.
3004 leads a double unit through Victoria past the site of the old Platform A.
3016 brings up the rear of a double unit as it too makes it way through the works at Victoria Station. (All Photos: Steve Kemp, 19th August 2014)
I take it they won’t be rebuilding that brick and concrete wall which used to separate heavy rail and metrolink.I think the scenario that rail track were worried about,was a runaway tram derailing on the bend and ploughing into one of their trains.I suppose their thinking was that if a tram lost all its brakes on balloon street,the only thing to stop it was the A.T.S beacon on signal 56,by which time it would be to late,or the brick and concrete wall.
Transport for Greater manchester will not confirm or deny that work is on schedule at Victoria. 4th November was completion date originally given. But despite various requests on social media “Twitter” they will not commit.
Make of that what you will. I have my own opinions 😉
Nigel, I would not expect TfGM to make a response as the Metrolink work at Victoria is only a part of a project is being carried out by a contractor managed by Network Rail to improve the station and building. TfGM have little or no control over the programme management which is influenced by a number of complex construction sequences external to Metrolink. To take a cautious approach to public statements regarding third party projects sounds very sensible to me.
Correct me if I am wrong, but did not NetworkRail put the start date for this construction back by 2 months which may also make it difficult for non directly involved parties to know accurately when they can return to normal working arrangements.
On another point as I do not live in Greater Manchester could some kind person tell where on the above photos the new platforms and track are going to be situated.
Try this link
http://www.metrolinkforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=31
Thank you for that info. That clarifies things for me.
Not wishing to blow my own trumpet but Gareth posted a gallery of construction photos on 7th September that I sent in and amongst other sites it covers Victoria showing the position of the new platforms.
See this link http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/gallery480.html