A new tram line through Manchester city centre was opened on 26th February 2017. This now completes Manchester’s Metrolink expansion program. The new 1.3km stretch directly through the city centre has now resulted in over 60 miles of routes with 93 stops which makes the light rail network the largest in the UK.
This final link in the chain was part of a series of infrastructure investment projects taken forward by the Coalition Government to stimulate economic recovery in the wake of the Anglo-American Banking Crash of 2008. It was similar projects like this, championed by the then Business Secretary, Vince Cable, working together with David Willetts and Lord Heseltine, which have been buoying up the recent positive business activity.
Transport for Greater Manchester said that the new line will allow more services that currently terminate at Deansgate-Castlefield and Exchange Square to continue on to Shaw and Crompton and East Didsbury.
This project is complemented by other infrastructure investment projects which include bus priority measures and six new cycle routes into the city centre, as well as planned improvements to important local rail routes.
Picture: Rail Technology Magazine