Trafford Park Metrolink line opening date announced

Metrolink is already the UK’s largest tram network, running to a total of 96km and 93 stops

Metrolink will open doors to some of the region’s most iconic visitor destinations when the new £350m Trafford Park Line launches on Sunday, March 22.

The launch date announcement comes immediately after the successful completion of the project and handover of the new line to the operator, KeolisAmey Metrolink, whose drivers are currently undertaking a rigorous training programme before welcoming the first passengers onboard.

Metrolink is already the UK’s largest tram network, running to a total of 96km and 93 stops.

The new Trafford Park line will add a further 5.5km of track and six additional stops, bringing the total to 99.

The delivery of the new line supports Greater Manchester’s progress towards a London-style transport system.

Launched in June 2019, ‘Our Network’ is a ten-year plan to create an integrated, modern and accessible public network – of which further Metrolink extensions and the introduction of tram-train are focal points.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “It’s great that the Trafford Park line will open for business.

"It is a much-needed addition to the Metrolink network and will encourage more people to use public transport to journey around our city-region, and in doing so reduce congestion on our roads and improve the quality of our air.”

The project was the first to benefit from the region’s Devolution Deal – signed by Greater Manchester leaders and central government in November 2014, with a £20 million contribution from Trafford Council – and has been delivered approximately seven months earlier than originally planned.

The Trafford Park line runs through Europe’s largest industrial estate, providing access to thousands of jobs, including global brands such as Kellogg’s, Unilever, Missguided, L’Oreal and Adidas.

The new stops will also provide easy access to some of the North West’s top retail and leisure destinations, including intu Trafford Centre, Old Trafford stadium and Imperial War Museum North.

The mutually-beneficial deal between intu Trafford Centre and TfGM offers them opportunities to promote their leisure and retail destination alongside TfGM – the commercial income generated will be reinvested back into the Metrolink network.  

Find out more about the new Trafford Park Line on the TfGM website.

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