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Tuesday, 03 February 2009Metrolink looks East
People will be able to find out more about the project to build a new Metrolink line to Droylsden at series of special information events this month.
Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) and MPact-Thales are holding the first exhibitions in east Manchester and Droylsden next week:
- St Anne's R.C. Primary School on Carruthers Street, East Manchester, on Monday 9 and Wednesday 11 February, 6 to 8pm.
- St Mary's C.E. Primary School on Church Street, Droylsden, on Tuesday 10 February from 6pm to 8pm.
MPact-Thales - the construction team behind the project - will begin building the new line later this year but other work is already taking place along the route.
Philip Purdy, GMPTE's Metrolink Director, said: "People will really start to see work taking place on the ground this year to build the new Metrolink line.
"Work to move existing utilities - such as gas, water, electricity and phone lines - away from the route will start soon and take place throughout the year.
"Clearance work and demolitions will also take place over the next few months, before the main construction work starts.
"We are committed to keeping in touch with local residents and businesses while the new Metrolink line is being built and these information events will be the first of many. I hope people take the opportunity to come along and find out more about the plans."
The Metrolink team is also holding events at:
- Droylsden Library on Tuesday 17 February (11am-4pm) and Thursday 19 February (4pm-8pm)
- St Anne's R.C. Primary School on Carruthers Street on Wednesday 25 February, 6 to 8pm.
GMPTE is overseeing a £600 million expansion of the Metrolink network to Oldham and Rochdale, Droylsden, Chorlton and MediaCityUK in Salford.
Several road closures and diversions will be in place along the route of the new line to Droylsden while utilities are being moved and the new line is being built. Transport bosses are working closely with the utility companies and local councils to minimise the impact the work has on local communities.
The first utility work - on BT telecommunications equipment - will start in Droylsden town centre at the junction of Market Street / Villemomble Square with Manchester Road on 9 February.
A new works compound is also being created in an industrial area of East Manchester, on Pollard Street near the junction with Greater Ancoats Street. It will house site offices and materials for the expansion, such as new track. The compound is due to be operational by the spring.
The new Metrolink line will run through the heart of East Manchester, mostly along existing streets, to Droylsden. The four-mile extension will include eight new stops and will run past the City of Manchester Stadium and the Velodrome.
The route is due to open in spring 2012, with trams running to and from Manchester every six minutes.
More information about the Metrolink expansion is available at www.gmpte.com/futuremetrolink or by calling 0161 244 1555.
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