Green light for £350m tram line

Trafford Park Metrolink line

GREATER Manchester's Metrolink network is set to expand even further after plans for a new £350 million tram line through Trafford Park were given the green light.

Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport, has granted Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) legal powers to build the new 3.4mile (5.5km) line under a Transport and Works Act order, meaning work could start on the line this winter - and be operational by 2020/2021.

TfGM, which owns the Metrolink network, has developed plans for the Trafford Park line and will shortly appoint a contractor.

Trafford Park is the largest major employment zone in Greater Manchester outside the city centre and is home to over 1,300 businesses and more than 33,000 jobs.

The new Trafford Park line, which will increase the size of the Metrolink network to more than 66 miles (106.5km) served by 99 stops, will branch off from the existing Pomona stop and call at six new tram stops at key destinations, including Wharfside, near to Old Trafford football stadium, the Imperial War Museum, key business areas and the intu Trafford Centre.