Metrolink Oldham line

[ajb]

How will the single line section on the Metrolink cope with the frequency requirements of two-way running before the single track Metrolink section and then after it. Will there be any need for Metrolink drivers to know if any container train is coming out of the refuse depot?

From what I have been led to beleive there will be no requirement for tram drivers to be notified of any waste train movements as there will be no conflict between the two lines.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Beal Lane in Shaw will have lane and footpath closures commencing on Monday, 20th June for a 4-week period to enable new track to be laid and a new signal controlled junction wil be inroduced across the former Beal Lane railway level crossing. This was adjacent to the former Shaw and Crompton railway station.

 

[familyguy99]

Hi

I found this on Metrolink update

Line to Central Park

The track and infrastructure is well advanced on this section, and it is
anticipated that the track will be used for driver training from July 2011,

Subject to appropriate testing and commissioning, the completion of this
work will allow services to operate to Central Park commencing in
November/December 2011 (previously June 2011).

Line to Oldham Mumps

The problems experienced with the new signalling system will have a
consequential impact of two to three months on the opening of the line to
Oldham Mumps, delaying this until February/March 2012.

The opening of this section requires a training period longer than other
extensions due to its length and because of the complex areas of
operation with some single line bi-directional working. Drivers and control
room operators will need to be given enough time to become familiar with
the requirements for operating this extension.

Line to Rochdale

The problems experienced with the new signalling system will have a
consequential impact of two to three months on the opening of the line,
delaying this from Spring to Summer 2012.

Earthworks are progressing along the line. Construction of the stops is
underway and bridge refurbishment work is ongoing. Construction
started last autumn outside Rochdale Railway station and track is
currently being laid in this area.

http://www.transportforgreatermanch.../downloads/file/4059/item_21_metrolink_update

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Yet another "brave new hope" bites the dust.The line to the temporary station at Oldham Mumps is now put back to February/March 2012!!.

Even the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway for all their faults did not cause as much angst when their "new line" from Thorpes Bridge to Oldham Werneth opened to relieve pressure on the steep gradient line from Middleton Junction to Oldham Werneth.

 

[furryfeet]

So will the consortium building the extension be fined by gmpte for late delivery ?

 

[Nym]

Hopfully, then the fine money can pay for the £90mil rail line to Leigh...

 

[familyguy99]

Hi

Notice on Future Metrolink the update the site

http://www.metrolink.co.uk/futuremetrolink/oldham-and-rochdale-line.asp

 

[The Snap]

So will the consortium building the extension be fined by gmpte for late delivery ?

Considering the TMS system has nothing to do with MPT, I doubt it...

The construction of the line was completed on time, the system installation and commissioning post-handover is what’s delaying things...

 

[Nym]

Fine Thales for being useless?
(I can't slag them off too much as I'm currently writing a job app to them aswell.)

I'm sure my uni department could do a better job by the sounds of it!

 

[futureA]

Considering the TMS system has nothing to do with MPT, I doubt it...

The construction of the line was completed on time, the system installation and commissioning post-handover is what’s delaying things...

T stands for Thales, the supplier of the TMS system.

 

[Samtron2000]

T stands for Thales, the supplier of the TMS system.

Yes, but it is separate contract that has nothing to do with their role in the consortium!

 

[The Snap]

T stands for Thales, the supplier of the TMS system.

I'm quite aware of what the T stands for...

Yes, but it is separate contract that has nothing to do with their role in the consortium!

Indeed. Their role in the consortium is to install cabling amongst other things. The TMS system is installed after handover.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

On the Future Metrolink site of TfGM, there has always been a schiematic line route showing the tram stops, but the one marked Kingsway Business Park has always had (Possible Stop) shown after the tram stop name.

Things have now moved on with regards to this tram stop, which is a key part of the plans for Rochdale, as the TfGM committee involved with Rochdale MBC have now come to an agreement over the actual provision of this tram stop at a cost of £2.5 million.

 

[The Snap]

On the Future Metrolink site of TfGM, there has always been a schiematic line route showing the tram stops, but the one marked Kingsway Business Park has always had (Possible Stop) shown after the tram stop name.

Things have now moved on with regards to this tram stop, which is a key part of the plans for Rochdale, as the TfGM committee involved with Rochdale MBC have now come to an agreement over the actual provision of this tram stop at a cost of £2.5 million.

Indeed, the drawings are on our DMS, so it must now be confirmed.

 

[familyguy99]

Hi

Have anyone else read this in Oldham Chroncle last night something about delay the opening of the line to Derker, Shaw, and Rochdale, if this is true do that mean line to Rochdale will'nt opening until Autumn 2012

OLDHAM’S town centre redevelopment plans could be jeopardised by delays to high-speed broadband, a councillor has claimed.

The ‘’4G’’ connection is coming alongside Metrolink: cables are being laid in ducts alongside the tracks.

But Councillor Dave Hibbert says a two-year gap between the two phases of the long-awaited tram extension will leave much of the town centre without the promised internet boost.

The line following the old Oldham loop railway will open next spring with a temporary stop at Mumps.

But the final alignment through the town centre, via Union Street, is not due until the Spring of 2014.

Councillor Hibbert told a meeting of the Transport for Greater Manchester committee: “We are hearing that the trunking on the first phase will only go as far as Werneth and there will be no trunking for the broadband cables between Werneth and Mumps for two years.

“The town-centre area Metrolink is going through is very important for redevelopment and 4G broadband is a key criterion.”

TfGM Metrolink director Phil Purdy promised to investigate.

Meanwhile, consultation which started yesterday for Transport and Works Act (TWA) consent for the line to cross Oldham Mumps roundabout at ground level may be unnecessary and could even delay the opening of the line to Derker, Shaw, and Rochdale, warned Councillor Richard Knowles.

The iconic Mumps Bridge, which carried trains on the Oldham loop, was demolished last August after it was decided trams should cross the roundabout at ground level.

But TfGM has been told it needs special planning permission for transport projects. But Councillor Knowles, Professor of Transport Geography at Salford University, challenged the idea.

“My understanding is that the legal powers would only be needed if it was to move horizontally.

“Taking a viaduct down and putting the track on the ground is not altering the alignment and I am not sure we need them.”

He warned that the application could delay the opening of the line to Rochdale, where TfGM has agreed to run only a single line across the weak Wellington Bridge over the River Roche rather than strengthen or replace it.

The committee has also agreed to axe plans for a stop in the retail area of Drake Street, Rochdale, and build one instead on the Kingsway business park.

http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news-headlines/58576/broadband-delay

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

We seem to have some site engineers on this forum. Is the report factual concerning the weakness of Wellington Bridge over the River Roche which will only allow single track operation, If so, will this be a "pinch-point" on the system.

Incidentally, what is it to be..... single or double track on the line section from Shaw to Rochdale?

 

[The Snap]

Incidentally, what is it to be..... single or double track on the line section from Shaw to Rochdale?

I have looked at the track alignment drawings between Shaw & Crompton and Rochdale; it would appear the route is double tracked throughout. Although, I only looked at every other drawing and not each one, so don’t hold me to that...

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I have looked at the track alignment drawings between Shaw & Crompton and Rochdale; it would appear the route is double tracked throughout. Although, I only looked at every other drawing and not each one, so don’t hold me to that...

Thanks for that, Rich. Any news about the bridge I also mentioned?

 

[The Snap]

Thanks for that, Rich. Any news about the bridge I also mentioned?

Just had a quick glance through the inspection reports of structures ORL88, 89 and 90 (Butts Bridge, Wellington Bridge and Bus Station Bridge respectively) and found no evidence of it being unsuitable for double track. There was a note recommending further investigation of the use of slab track over the bridges, and any additional loading was to be assessed.

Again, that's just what I read while very briefly looking through the report; so don't hold me to it!

 

[WatcherZero]

The structural assessment showed that the bridge could have catered for
the increased deadload for two Metrolink tracks, assuming strengthening
measures were undertaken. However, because of the strength of the
deck, which lies just 150mm below the surface in places, it presents
technical challenges in being able to accommodate the required track
slab and rails. There is also a risk associated with the foundations, which
would require further detailed assessment and potentially strengthening
such as piling.

Strengthening bridge, 20 week delay, £1.1m
Rebuilding bridge, 16 week delay, £1.3m
Single track operation, 0 week delay, £0.0m

 

[familyguy99]

DRIVERS will have to prepare for a huge shake-up in Oldham town- centre parking as the Metrolink rolls in.

Oldham Council’s highways department is proposing an abundance of changes, mainly around Union Street, where the new trams will eventually run through.

The council admit parking spaces will be lost and “inevitable disruption” will be caused as the Metrolink is being constructed, but the impact will be “mitigated”.

Just under 30 Traffic Regulation Orders (TRos) removing parking places and waiting restrictions have been proposed.

Councillor Jean Stretton, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “We acknowledge there will, overall, still be some loss of this provision and we’re already working to provide compensatory spaces on adjacent side streets.

“In the longer-term, we’re also undertaking a comprehensive review of all our parking provision across the town centre for the Metrolink era.”

A town-centre section of the Metrolink will take passengers along Union Street from spring 2014.

A temporary line from Manchester Victoria to Oldham Mumps, which bypasses the town centre, is set to open by March, 2012.

The changes on Union Street are also in preparation for the installation of the Oldham Central stop, outside Sainsbury’s on Union Street.

A date has not be finalised for the closure of the section, which will be exclusively accessed by pedestrians and trams.

Cllr Stretton added: “Installing a new tram line is a massive engineering project and we knew it would inevitably mean an unavoidable series of closures to parts of Union Street.

“The TROs are there to gradually introduce the long-term changes that are required to Union Street’s future layout.

“Where possible, for example, we strive to have only partial (one-way) road closures rather than a total shutdown of a particular street, and to also reschedule works where it can possibly ease disruption and congestion.”

Officers from Oldham Council and Transport for Greater Manchester revealed an extensive consultation with town centre businesses is currently taking place.

Members of the public are being urged to have their say on the traffic regulation orders during the consultation process, which runs until August 3.

You can see the proposals online at www.tfgm.com/metrolink/oldhamTRO/

After is

Bosses refute delays claim

METROLINK bosses are “confident” delays are not going to happen for the opening of the line to Derker, Shaw and Rochdale.

Councillor Richard Knowles warned Transport for Greater Manchester committee members that an application for Transport and Works Act consent for the line to cross Oldham Mumps roundabout could push the opening date back.

In response to the story the Chronicle published last Wednesday over the consultation, Transport for Greater Manchester state they need to “update legal powers” at the section of the line.

A Transport for Greater Manchester spokeswoman said: “We are confident we have sufficient time to secure the updated powers before the part of the line on to Derker, Shaw and Rochdale opens.”

http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news-headlines/58749/cut-in-union-street-parking

Also is

Metrolink in Oldham town centre

Consultation on modifications to existing statutory powers to operate Metrolink in the Mumps area.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), in partnership with Oldham Council, developed new proposals for Metrolink in the Oldham Mumps area after confirmation of funding for the town centre Metrolink line last year.

Following a consultation on the proposals, planning permission was secured earlier this year and construction is now underway in the area.

(TfGM) is now holding a Consultation from 11 July to 3 October 2011 on modifications to the existing statutory powers to operate Metrolink on sections of the tracks in the Oldham Mumps area.

The consultation information on this website is also available in the 'Consultation Brochure' (PDF 457Kb)

http://www.tfgm.com/Oldham-Mumps/index.cfm

 

[WatcherZero]

It changed a few years ago such that the Transport Minister could authorise a TWA Order and it didnt require parliamentary approval so it should in theory be a much faster practise nowadays.

 

[exile]

Slightly different topic but I've just travelled on the new sections to St Werburgh's Rd and Media City. The network was struggling today - signalling and points by the look of it so had quite a long wait at St W's on the way back.