Transport for Greater Manchester have moved a step closer to getting the much needed Second City Centre Crossing by putting an application into the Department for Transport for a Transport and Works Act Order. This is the formal process required to secure the legal powers to build and operate the line which will go from St Peter’s Square to Manchester Victoria via Princess Street, Cross Street and Corporation Street.
The proposals – which went out to Public Consultation last year – were approved by both Manchester City Council and the TfGM Committee in late 2011 and this is now the next step in ensuring that the line can be constructed. The Second City Crossing (2CC for short) is needed as with the extensions currently being constructed there will be a major increase in services travelling via the City Centre with 45 an hour expected instead of the current 25 every hour. In addition having the 2CC will give more operational resilience when there are problems in the City Centre which currently often lead to severe delays across the entire network.
Cllr Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “The Second City Crossing is a crucial part of the expanding Metrolink network, which will become the biggest light rail network in the country once all the new lines are completed. So I’m delighted that we’re entering the next phase of the project and making progress on such an important scheme. We will now continue to work closely with Manchester City Council on how best to deliver it, in the context of the major redevelopment and pedestrianisation of St Peter’s Square, work starting on the complementary Cross City Bus scheme, and the aims of the city
centre transport strategy.”
As has been previously reported the current Metrolink stop at St Peter’s Square will be resited, partly as a result of a major regeneration of the area, whilst an extra stop will be constructed at Exchange Square.
- An artists impression video of what the Second City Crossing will look like is available at http://www.tfgm.com/Metrolink2cc/second_city_crossing_media.cfm