New year, new Metrolink line for Oldham
Oldhams new town centre Metrolink line is on course to open ahead of schedule, following a change to the dates for the redevelopment of Network Rails Manchester Victoria station and tram stop.
The Oldham town centre line has four new stops Westwood, Oldham King Street, Oldham Central and Oldham Mumps, with the latter integrating tram and bus services and providing a new, free park and ride site for Metrolink passengers.
It had been scheduled to open in spring 2014, but is now in line to open early in the new year.
That is possible because the redevelopment work at Manchester Victoria station and tram stop and the associated Metrolink service changes* has been rescheduled from January to the end of February/early March (with full details and revised timing to follow).
This allows the diversion of the temporary Oldham-Rochdale line to the new Oldham town centre route to be done beforehand, rather than after.
Diverting the line will require a weeklong closure of the existing line between Central Park and Rochdale Railway Station but will be followed immediately by the launch of the town centre line into passenger service.
More details on the timing of the closure, the accompanying replacement bus services and the actual launch date for the town centre line, will be provided closer to the time.
Peter Cushing, TfGMs Metrolink Director, said: Its been several months since we announced the changes in store at Victoria and in that time weve been able to develop the detail and also make great progress on the Oldham town centre line.
The two taken together have presented the window of opportunity to deliver Oldhams new line much earlier than expected, which is fantastic.
There is a lot of work to get through before we can be more specific on exactly when the town centre line will open, but well make sure everyone is kept up to speed as things progress so people can plan and prepare accordingly.