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Future mapped out

Susannah Wright
24/ 7/2008

EIGHT new metrolink stops could be created in south Manchester, under new plans unveiled this week.

The proposals, which are dependent on the controversial congestion charging scheme, would see new stops linking East Didsbury, Chorlton and Northern Moor.

It is thought that up to 2,200 passengers could use the new services at peak times with trains leaving each station every six minutes.

The new stops would be in addition to the two Chorlton stops and Firswood stop that have already been guaranteed funding by the Government. They will be served by a new spur linking them with the existing Trafford Bar station, that is expected to be up and running by 2011. Under the new plans, the track will split after the planned new stop on St Werburgh’s Road in Chorton.

One line will run for 4.5km through to new stations at Princess Parkway in Withington, Palatine Road in West Didsbury, School Lane in Didsbury and Wilmslow Road in East Didsbury.

The other line will serve new stations to be created at Hough End, opposite the Southern Pub, near the junction of Barlow Moor Road and Mauldeth Road in Chorlton, at Hardy Farm, at Sale Water Park and Northern Moor. Philip Purdy, Metrolink Director at GMPTE, said: "This is an opportunity for Greater Manchester to create a fantastic public transport network to rival other major cities around the world.

"The extension of the Metrolink network to Withington and Didsbury will be an exciting development for both communities and businesses. The new lines will provide a fast and efficient mode of public transport allowing more people to leave their car at home if they so choose."

Barry Aelion, of West Didsbury Residents’ Association, said: "We’re delighted that the long-awaited Metrolink extension through West Didsbury could soon be up and running. If approved, the proposed spur will bring more business to our area, particularly if there is a station on Burton Road which is slowly recovering from a long decline in trade.

"It will also take cars off the road at a time when, as a result of all the high-density development that has taken place in the area, traffic congestion caused by on-street parking has reached saturation point. Our roads are often reduced to single carriageways, and emergency vehicle access and residential amenity are compromised."

But Mr Aelion also expressed concern over the loss of green space to make way for the new tram lines. He said: "The downside is that to make way for this environmentally friendly form of transport, West Didsbury will lose the swathe of vegetation along the railway cutting, the long green corridor to which we owe so much of our wildlife. Given the biodiversity it generates, this is no mean loss.

"However, we are currently engaged in discussions about this with GMPTE who are proving extremely proactive and helpful, and we feel confident that, if the scheme goes ahead, they will provide the necessary mitigation - replacement trees, water bodies - to minimise the impact on our wildlife and enable it to regenerate."

The £2.7bn Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) proposals include improvements to bus, rail, tram and school bus services, as well as a two-ring congestion charge system with a peak-hour charge of up to £10 per day.

The scheme would first have to be approved by the ten Greater Manchester councils, although town hall bosses in Manchester have indicated that they may call a referendum to decide the issue.