Metrolink: next stop Mumps

Aerial view shows the line curving from the existing Mumps rail station, across Mumps bridge to the new station, between Bell Street and Brook Street, just off the Mumps roundabout

PLANS for a new Mumps Metrolink stop, complete with cantilevered platforms and lift towers, will be unveiled at two public meetings next week.

Planners have chosen the Bell Street area of Mumps, adjacent to Bottom o’th’ Moor, for the station.

The idea was first revealed in June, when transport planners said the Bell Street stop would “future-proof” the scheme by being able to serve either a Union Street line or the replaced rail line or both.

The plans, available on the Oldham Council website, also have impressions of what the new station could look like.

It would be adjacent to Brook Street which is used as a short cut from Mumps to Shaw Road.

Bell Street would be narrowed and the station would be cantilevered over the road and footpath.

The main impact of the plans on traffic will be a ban on loading and parking in Bell Street. Brook Street will be one way up to Medlock Street for the installation of stairs, ramps and lifts.

The two drop-in meetings have been organised by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority.

People will be able to find out more about the work to bring Metrolink to Oldham Mumps, through the town centre, the option of a new station at Rhodes Bank, and alternative travel arrangements after the Oldham loop line closes on October 3.

Philip Purdy, GMPTE’s Metrolink director, said: “We’re already under way with the project to bring trams to Oldham Mumps by autumn 2011 and now we’re developing plans for the town centre line. I’d encourage people to go along to these drop-in events to find out exactly what is happening.”

They are at Royton Suite, Oldham Civic Centre, on Wednesday and Room 1, Oldham Lifelong Learning Centre, Union Street, on Thursday, both from 2.30pm to 7.30pm.

To find out more, call the Metrolink public liaison team on 0161-244 1555 (office hours), email future.metrolink@gmpte.gov.uk or visit www.gmpte.com/futuremetrolink.