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Manchester Metrolink - Trafford Centre Extension

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edwin_m

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Brilliant!
Metrolink has effectively been on a 10-year rolling programme of extension, using the same set of contractors all the way through, so most of the surprises that might happen have already been faced on earlier routes. This is very different from some other rail schemes we can think of!

Unfortunately TfGM doesn't have any more shovel-ready schemes, so that will presumably now come to an end although the contractor will still have a role in maintenance.
The TC doesn't open until 1000 and IIRC their car parks aren't open first thing in the morning, so it will be of limited use to '9 to 5' commuters.
There's a P&R at the Parkway (which should possibly be "Park Way") stop.
 
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Chester1

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Metrolink has effectively been on a 10-year rolling programme of extension, using the same set of contractors all the way through, so most of the surprises that might happen have already been faced on earlier routes. This is very different from some other rail schemes we can think of!

Unfortunately TfGM doesn't have any more shovel-ready schemes, so that will presumably now come to an end although the contractor will still have a role in maintenance.

They have a funding application for extending the Airport Line to Terminal 2 waiting for a decision. It is covered by the original TWAO for the line. Its a small project though!
 

miami

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They have a funding application for extending the Airport Line to Terminal 2 waiting for a decision. It is covered by the original TWAO for the line. Its a small project though!

And completing the loop (via the HS2 station)?
 

edwin_m

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I was quite annoyed at having to pay the "Nurofen tax" for a packet of ibuprofen because all the own brand ones had gone. I only wanted one, and only because I had run out.

They have a funding application for extending the Airport Line to Terminal 2 waiting for a decision. It is covered by the original TWAO for the line. Its a small project though!

And completing the loop (via the HS2 station)?
Those would be the obvious next steps, although completing the loop may need a firmer commitment by the Government and TfN that HS2 will actually pass through the area as planned. But it's doubtful they will happen soon enough to keep the rolling programme, er, rolling.
 

mwmbwls

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And completing the loop (via the HS2 station)?
I think that will wait until HS2 phase two gets its TWAO and be built co-terminus with the new HS2 Station. Although I and a number of other doddery members of this forum might appreciate a short extension from Roundthorn to Wythenshawe Hospital. The next thing that is likely to appear is the Stockport extension from East Didsbury. Construction of the new interchange is due to start in 2021 with completion by 2024. https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/stockport-confirms-team-for-120m-interchange/ With a good tail wind extending the tram route by 2025 is ambitious but achievable.
 

mwmbwls

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The Trafford Centre and its food hall open from 10:00 to 22:00. However the IMAX cinema has films starting at or after 22:00 - Is there a clear route outside the Trafford Centre to the tram stop for late night film goers? if the Trafford Centre does not open until 10.00hrs - how early will the trams start?
 

miami

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From memory the route through the shops is closed late at night, I think I got caught once parking near barton square and seeing a late night film - park round the 'front' now when going to the cinema.

For trafford centre staff arriving by metrolink I'd expect the trams to be running from start of service. I don't think there are any crossovers between Trafford Centre and east of Parkway - and the Parkway isn't a full crossover.
 

Ianno87

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Metrolink has effectively been on a 10-year rolling programme of extension, using the same set of contractors all the way through, so most of the surprises that might happen have already been faced on earlier routes. This is very different from some other rail schemes we can think of!

Construction of various extensions has, I believe, been continuous from work starting on the MediaCity branch back in 2009 or whenever. Opening of the Trafford Park line will bring this to an end. For now...

A very, very, impressive achievement.
 

Richard P

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The TC quotes on the overhead gantries outside that the car parks open at 9.30am but in reality they're open all the time and there'd be nothing to stop you parking up in the car park at any time. That said I'm not sure if there's any local restrictions or security to stop you from parking there "out of hours" etc. I'm also not sure if there is foot access open from the car park by Selfridges to the Metrolink stop or if it's gated. If it is gated then it's a long walk round.
The Park and Ride planned for Parkway isn't yet finished, seems to be about the last act of the project, I'm not sure if it will be ready by the 22nd March, when I last went by late last week it was still a long way from being completed.
For me I'm close to three lines now at Stretford, the TC and Media City for routes in to Manchester, the TC is the closest but I'll at least for the time being have to change trams to get in to the City but I'm not sure where. Some publicity today has suggested trams will run to Pomona, others to Cornbrook (as Metrolink's own new map suggests).
The observation of locals to here is that people will use the tram to commute in to Manchester having parked up for free in the Trafford Centre - an understandable view as Stretford has very limited parking and Media City none at all but I reckon that won't be sustainable long term as action will be taken to prevent it and encourage commuters to use of the park and ride at Parkway, not that it looks a particularly big space.
There'll be some that'll use it for pleasure, plenty to commute and I think we'll see a reduction in numbers in and out of Media City as it's going to be a lot quicker to get a tram to the Imperial War Museum and walk over the Ship Canal than the current journey round the tight bends through Salford Quays
 

WatcherZero

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No sane person would go out of their way to park at the Trafford Centre. That Motorway junction on its good days resembles the M25.
 

edwin_m

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The Park and Ride planned for Parkway isn't yet finished, seems to be about the last act of the project, I'm not sure if it will be ready by the 22nd March, when I last went by late last week it was still a long way from being completed.
They tend to use the P&R sites as bases during the construction of everything else, so by definition they're pretty much the last things to be finished.
 

miami

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Media City none at all

There's a large carpark above Booths, about £10 a day from memory

A few years ago I drove into mediacity a fair bit from the south and parked at the war museum. One time the bridge was closed, which was annoying.

No sane person would go out of their way to park at the Trafford Centre. That Motorway junction on its good days resembles the M25.

How busy does Sale Water Park get?
 

markymark2000

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Barton Square opens at 09:30.
Event City can have events from 09:00 as well.

I think the secondary market would be Trafford Park commuters. Industrial estates have very varied shift times which may be useful for the service.

On the whole though, pre 08:30 could probably run at 20 minute intervals and have no issues. After that, ramping it upto 12 makes sense as all the leisure places start opening.
 

Ianno87

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Barton Square opens at 09:30.
Event City can have events from 09:00 as well.

I think the secondary market would be Trafford Park commuters. Industrial estates have very varied shift times which may be useful for the service.

On the whole though, pre 08:30 could probably run at 20 minute intervals and have no issues. After that, ramping it upto 12 makes sense as all the leisure places start opening.

Although, once operation to Crumpsall starts, the additional frequency will be useful for the peak flows inwards from there.
 
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Perhaps I'm misreading how this may work, but once services on the Trafford Centre extension are running into the city centre, presumably the difference in line speeds will make it a much more attractive option for many heading towards MediaCityUK than the current MediaCItyUK line, possibly reducing the need for a standalone MediaCityUK Service?
 

miami

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I think it takes 9:30 for Mediacity-Pomona. IWM to Pomona is going to be about 4, and the IWM stop is a fair walk from Mediacity. It may be faster for Lowry to go to IWM, but not for mediacity proper. If you have a Trafford Centre and an Eccles service you're probably best off taking the first one unless you're going to the east side of mediacity. If it's Trafford Centre vs Mediacity it's probably worth waiting a few extra minutes for mediacity
 

Chester1

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Perhaps I'm misreading how this may work, but once services on the Trafford Centre extension are running into the city centre, presumably the difference in line speeds will make it a much more attractive option for many heading towards MediaCityUK than the current MediaCItyUK line, possibly reducing the need for a standalone MediaCityUK Service?

The Media City and Eccles lines are both operated by single trams and have very high loadings at peak times. There is less demand towards the Eccles end therefore the Media City stop is a useful location for turning around units. The layover time also mean that people can sit inside the tram until departure rather than wait at a stop and hope they get a seat. Without the new line the Media City service would need double units soon. The Trafford Park Line will be operated by single units and will generate its own demand, all 3 services will likely be close to capacity within 2 or 3 years due to the scale of development along the routes.
 

Ianno87

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51851791

The owner of some of the UK's biggest shopping centres, Intu, has said there are doubts that it can survive unless it raises extra funds.

Its comments came as the firm - which owns Manchester's Trafford Centre and the Lakeside complex in Essex - reported a £2bn loss in 2019.

Well, that would be fantastically ironic after waiting over two decades for a rail connection to the Trafford Centre...
 

edwin_m

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51851791



Well, that would be fantastically ironic after waiting over two decades for a rail connection to the Trafford Centre...
I hope they've paid up on their contribution to the route...

Meanwhile the Intu Broadmarsh in Nottingham is half way through being re-built, and if they go under risks becoming a long-term eyesore on the way into the city from the station (where the council has just got a wad of funding to improve the "gateway").
 

duffield

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I hope they've paid up on their contribution to the route...

Meanwhile the Intu Broadmarsh in Nottingham is half way through being re-built, and if they go under risks becoming a long-term eyesore on the way into the city from the station (where the council has just got a wad of funding to improve the "gateway").

I think as a last resort Nottingham City Council would consider buying it, particularly if it was at a fire-sale price, rather than leave it half done.

Anyhow, drifting well offtopic so no worries if mods delete this.
 

Gathursty

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Any idea what times the first trams will be on Sunday 22 March?

Hoping to be the first traveller at Pomona next week!
 

Richard P

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Any idea what times the first trams will be on Sunday 22 March?

Hoping to be the first traveller at Pomona next week!

I'm not sure that the timings have been announced yet but typically trams start at around 6.30am on a Sunday - if you do want to be first on the tram then I'd keep an eye on publicity this week. I'd also check whether the trams are starting at Pomona or in fact at Cornbrook - I've seen press suggesting both and if you check out the Metrolink website it shows the new line starting at Cornbrook.
 
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In the off chance that this is of interest, something I made last week - a map showing the expansion of the Metrolink since its opening in 1992. The expansion over the past 10 years is quite impressive.
 

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