Are there plans to build a shortcut on the Manchester Airport Metrolink route?

Moderator note: split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/manchester-piccadilly-points-failure-13-09.192041/

The Metrolink connection to Manchester is incredibly slow, although I believe there are plans to build a slightly faster shortcut route in the future?

Jozhua said:

The Metrolink connection to Manchester is incredibly slow, although I believe there are plans to build a slightly faster shortcut route in the future?

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Yes, completion of the western side of the Airport loop, via Manchester Airport HS2 station and Wythenshawe Hospital.

Jozhua said:

The Metrolink connection to Manchester is incredibly slow, although I believe there are plans to build a slightly faster shortcut route in the future?

Click to expand...

Oooh, tell me more!!

Yes, I agree that metrolink takes not much less than the normal service bus from central Manchester (42??).

Those living in Manchester from Bury clockwise to, say, Eccles are well served by trains, buses and metrolink, but everyone else from Eccles north-westwards is stuck with having to go through central Manchester (platforms 13/14 of course) and out again.

I'd love to get in touch with mayor Andy Burnham to chat about this!!

Jozhua said:

The Metrolink connection to Manchester is incredibly slow, although I believe there are plans to build a slightly faster shortcut route in the future?

Click to expand...

The Manchester Airport Metrolink service goes through the main areas of Wythenshawe and it has been said that enabling people from those areas to work at Manchester Airport and its associated cargo terminals and Manchester Airport business park was a reason why its route was chosen. It never was intended to offer a fast direct service into the Manchester core area.

From the Wythenshawe area, there are intermediate stops at Sale Water Park and Barlow Moor Road before the interchange stop at St Werburgh's Road is reached, where the East Didsbury tram service also passes through, then both the combined trams services offer a good service into Manchester. Chorlton, in particular, seems to be well catered for and very well patronised.

Re- Metrolink: The "faster" Manchester Airport will be mostly the same route, until the LH curve at Wythenshawe Hospital, after Roundthorne Station.

The line will branch off there going straight ahead down the road, with a new stop at the Hospital, Newall Green, Staff West, T2 and Manchester Airport. Should cut 10-15 minutes off the running time. Would provide a better alternative to heavy rail when it goes belly up. This bit should have been built in 2012 but the cash wasn't there.

A Metrolink expansion to Airport City is on the cards and may be part of the loop. I keep hearing musings about a link to Altrincham.