First Day Metrolink Extension to Withington & East Didsbury

[stephenholmes]

The 2.7-mile route is an extension of the line that currently ends at St Werburgh’s Road in Chorlton. It is opening three months ahead of schedule
The first passengers have begun travelling on the new Metrolink extension to East Didsbury.

First passengers travel on tram extension to East Didsbury.

The 2.7-mile route is an extension of the line that currently ends at St Werburgh’s Road in Chorlton. It is opening three months ahead of schedule.

Pensioner John Ferrario, 72, one of the first on board, said: “It’s such a big milestone for south Manchesterthat I wanted to be here. This tram journey is a bit of history.”

The extension means the total size of the network is now 45.6-miles – the distance from Manchester toBlackpool.

When the £1.4bn Big Bang expansion is completed, with an extension to the airport, it will be the biggest tram network in the country – but it still has a long way to go before it eclipses the world’s largest urban tram network, the 160-mile Yarra system in Melbourne, Australia.

The opening of the line marks a huge milestone for Coun Andrew Fender, the chairman of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.
Almost exactly 30 years ago to the day, he led a rail study group that encouraged the then Greater Manchester Council to buy a stretch of the former Manchester Midland mainline through Chorlton and Didsbury for just £1.

That stopped the line being sold to developers, and it is now the route of the service.

Mr Fender said: “It was the best £1 that we’ve ever spent. Metrolink is now the biggest tram network in the UK. It’s fantastic to be able to announce the opening of this new line several months ahead of schedule.”

The line has five new stops at Withington, Burton Road, West Didsbury, Didsbury Village and East Didsbury.

It is hoped it will ease congestion on some of Manchester’s busiest commuter routes, including Kingsway, Wilmslow Road and Princess Parkway.

A 300-space park-and-ride site, which is free for Metrolink passengers, has been built at the East Didsburystop. The journey to the city centre takes less than half an hour.
New lines are also being extended to Ashton-under-Lyne and Manchester Airport, and there are plans to build a second line through the city centre.

When the airport line opens in 2016, the Metrolink network will be 59-miles long – more than three times the original 18.5-mile network that opened in 1992.

Coun Nigel Murphy, Manchester council’s executive member for the environment, grew up near the St Werburgh’s Road stop and went to school in Didsbury. He said: “The connection between Chorlton and Didsbury will benefit both communities and local businesses in both areas and beyond.

“Having a well-connected city where people can easily access employment, social and leisure opportunities is absolutely fundamental to Manchester’s future success.”

[PeterPeddlesden]

From BBC Manchester - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-ma ... r-22635368

[stephenholmes]

Good morning Peter and all reading this thread
I haven't travelled along the new route yet
I will be doing so tomorrow enroute to visit friends in Blackpool
I only live 10 minutes walk from the station and can hear the trams in my back garden
Metrolink is one of the fastest ways of travelling across the city
Kind regards Stephen

[gavo01]

It is hoped it will ease congestion on some of Manchester’s busiest commuter routes, including Kingsway.

From a car drivers perspective, that would be welcome news. East Didsbury/Parrs Wood is a total nightmare in rush hour.

Judging by the size of the car park at East Didsbury tram stop they must be anticipating a lot of people using it as a park and ride facility.

Almost exactly 30 years ago to the day, he led a rail study group that encouraged the then Greater Manchester Council to buy a stretch of the former Manchester Midland mainline through Chorlton and Didsbury for just £1.

It's nice to see that stretch of land brought back into former use, albeit as a tram line.

[eyore]

I don't know Manchester very well so the following question is not a criticism, just a desire to understand.

Having recently traveled to Manchester airport by rail, on a service which seemed to stop at every street corner in Manchester, I'm interested to know why they feel the need to invest in a metro link to the airport as well? Surely there are other areas of the city which currently have neither rail or tram service which should have a higher precedent?

[stephenholmes]

Good morning Phil
The only reason I can think of is to provide commuters with a direct service
For example someone traveling from Bury would need to change to a train service in Manchester
When the Airport line opens they'll be able to travel direct
Kind regards Stephen

[gavo01]

Why they feel the need to invest in a metro link to the airport as well?

Phil,

The tram network is part funded by the GMPTE, Greater Manchester Passsenger Transport Executive, and the Government. Network Rail have no connection to the Metrolink regarding monetary decisions.

More info here

[martinhodgson]

The main reason for the airport line is commuters for the airport and to serve Manchester from some of the outlying areas - I don't see it being intended as an option for people from the City Centre; though depending on where in the city centre they are going from it may make a more convenient option regardless. It will alleviate pressure on Princess Road as a lot of people in Wythenshawe and the areas served by the new line commute by bus or car into the centre.

In other Metrolink news - I got a job as a driver with them today. Starting next month; I can't wait

[stephenholmes]

Good evening Martin
Congratulations upon your new career with Metrolink
you've now got most forms of transport covered Pilot bus driver and now tram driver
Kind regards Stephen

[martinhodgson]

I know - I seem to be playing transport bingo!

[PeterPeddlesden]

You'll be driving NorthWest Trains next.

Congrats on the new job Martin.

[rfletcher72]

I wish there was a similar will to extend the Supertram network here in Sheffield.

I will pop over to Manchester in the near future and try the new extensions out

[rufuskins]

I'm still waiting for an opportunity to travel on the Metro here in Milnrow on the Rochdale-St. Werburgh's Road route. It's difficult to get used to seeing twin tracks through Milnrow after a long period of single track!
Alec

[stephenholmes]

Good morning everyone
I'm going to visit James aka Retro today at Bury
I intend traveling today on the new line
On Saturday I didn't get chance to try it out when I went to Blackpool for the day
Returning from Blackpool I boarded a train bound for Manchester Airport at 9:50 pm and it was 11: 10 pm when I arrived at Manchester Oxford Road
Being as it was so late I decided to catch a bus to Withington
Kind regards Stephen

[rufuskins]

Very old shot of Milnrow station

and a very new shot

Alec