Timeline of Manchester Metrolink

Last updated

This timeline of Manchester Metrolink lists significant events in the history of Greater Manchester's light rail network.

Contents

1960s

1968
1969
  • SELNEC PTE (the South East Lancashire North East Cheshire Passenger Transport Executive) is established on 1 November 1969 with reference to the Transport Act 1968 to improve public transport in Manchester and its surrounding municipalities. [2]

1970s

1972
1973
1974
1977
  • Unable to secure funding from the government, [11] the Greater Manchester County Council abandons plans for the Picc-Vic tunnel on economic grounds. [12] [10]

1980s

Docklands Light Railway rolling stock on public display in Debdale Park on 9 February 1987 DLR train at Debdale Park Manchester.jpg
Docklands Light Railway rolling stock on public display in Debdale Park on 9 February 1987
1982
  • GMPTE conclude that an overground metropolitan light rail system to replace or complement the region's under-used heavy railways is the most economical solution to improving Greater Manchester's public transport network. [8]
1983
  • As part of its proposals for light rail, GMPTE suggest that the Oldham Loop Line be re-routed and extended with on-street tramways through Oldham and Rochdale town centres. [13]
  • The Greater Manchester County Council purchases a disused section of the Cheshire Lines Committee railway between Chorlton-cum-Hardy and Didsbury for £1, hoping to stop development along the route and preserve it for use with a future light rail network. [14]
1984
  • A Rail Study Group composed of officials from British Rail, Greater Manchester County Council and GMPTE, formally endorse a light rail system for Greater Manchester. [8]
1985
1986
  • The Greater Manchester County Council is abolished on 31 March 1986 under the Local Government Act 1985. GMPTE becomes a joint-board of the ten district councils of Greater Manchester. [2]
  • GMPTE propose that Greater Manchester's light rail system include a line to Salford Quays to complement the regeneration of the Manchester Docks. [15] [16]
1987
1988
1989

1990s

Metrolink under construction in 1991, as viewed from Manchester Piccadilly railway station View from Piccadilly Station approach, Manchester - geograph.org.uk - 733658.jpg
Metrolink under construction in 1991, as viewed from Manchester Piccadilly railway station
1990
  • The contract to design, build, maintain and operate Metrolink is formally signed on 6 June 1990. [24]
  • Legal authority to construct a Metrolink line to Salford Quays is acquired. [15] [16]
1991
  • The Bury Line between Manchester and Bury is closed in stages between 13 July 1991 and 17 August 1991. Its 1200 V DC third rail electrified line is adapted for a 750 V DC overhead line operation. [25]
1992
  • Metrolink begins its first passenger service on 6 April 1992 on a route between Victoria and Bury. [26] [27]
  • Metrolink services expand beyond Victoria to G-Mex tram stop on 27 April 1992. [27]
  • Phase 1 on Metrolink's construction is completed with a service through to Altrincham joining the network on 15 June 1992. [27]
  • Elizabeth II declares Metrolink open at a ceremony in Manchester on 17 July 1992, stating that Metrolink would "improve communication" between northern and southern Greater Manchester. [28] [27] [29]
1994
  • A public consultation and public inquiry result in government endorsement of a Metrolink line to Salford Quays in 1994. [25] [15] [16]
1995
1997
  • In April 1997 Altram, a consortium of the Serco, Gio. Ansaldo & C. and John Laing is appointed to construct the Eccles line; Serco takes on responsibility to operate and maintain the whole network under contract. [15] [16] [30]
  • Serco Metrolink, a wholly owned subsidiary of Serco Limited, take over the operations and maintenance of Metrolink on 26 May 1997. [31]
  • Construction of the Eccles Line officially begins on 17 July 1997. [15] [16] [30]
1999
  • The Eccles Line is officially opened as far as Broadway tram stop on 6 December 1999 by Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who praises Metrolink as "exactly the type of scheme needed to solve the transport problems of the metropolitan areas of the country". [32] [33]

2000s

2000
2001
2003
  • In March 2003, Serco Investments buy out its partners; Altram (Manchester) Limited becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Serco. [31]
2004
  • A derailment occurs at Shudehill on 31 August 2004. [35]
2005
  • A derailment occurs on London Road on 11 January 2005. [35]
  • Work on Central Park tram stop and a flyover at Newton Heath over the heavy Caldervale Line commences in April 2005. [36]
  • On 8 November 2005 a near miss occurs between two track workers and a tram; the tram ran over track maintenance equipment. [37]
2006
  • A derailment occurs on 22 March 2006 at Long Millgate, Manchester, as a result of a track defect. [35]
  • A person becomes trapped under a Metrolink vehicle on 20 May 2006, causing a three-hour delay on the system. [37]
2007
2008
2009
  • In May 2009, Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (formerly GMPTA) and AGMA agree to create the Greater Manchester Transport Fund, £1.5billion raised from a combination of a levy on council tax in Greater Manchester, government grants, contributions from the Manchester Airports Group, Metrolink fares and third-party funding for "major transport schemes" in the region. [47] [20]
  • The Oldham Loop Line closes on 3 October 2009 for conversion from heavy rail to Metrolink. [48] [49]

2010s

2010
  • Phase 3b is approved with funding on a line-by-line basis between March and August 2010. [20] [50]
  • MediaCityUK tram stop station opens to passengers on 20 September 2010. [51]
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
  • 26 June 2016: Start of a two-month closure of the Eccles Line for essential track maintenance. [84]
2017
  • 26 February 2017: The 2nd City Crossing (2CC) opens between St Peter's Square and Victoria via Exchange Square
  • 15 July 2017: Keolis/Amey take over from RATP Group as operator [85] [86]

2020s

2020


See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transport for Greater Manchester</span> Public transport organisation in Greater Manchester in North West England

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The Oldham Loop Line was a suburban-line in Greater Manchester, England, used by trains that ran from Manchester Victoria to Rochdale via Oldham Mumps. Services on the line at the time of its closure were operated by Northern Rail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Firema T-68</span> Light rail passenger vehicle

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaw and Crompton tram stop</span> Manchester Metrolink tram stop

Shaw and Crompton is a tram stop on the Oldham and Rochdale Line (ORL) of Greater Manchester's light-rail Metrolink system. It opened to passengers on 16 December 2012 and is located in Shaw and Crompton, a part of the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milnrow tram stop</span> Manchester Metrolink tram stop

Milnrow is a tram stop on the Oldham and Rochdale Line (ORL) of Greater Manchester's light-rail Metrolink system. It opened to passengers on 28 February 2013 and is located in Milnrow, a part of the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newhey tram stop</span> Manchester Metrolink tram stop

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop</span> Manchester Metrolink tram stop

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transport in Manchester</span> Overview of the transport infrastructure of Greater Manchester

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Park tram stop</span> Manchester Metrolink tram stop

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">MediaCityUK tram stop</span> Manchester Metrolink tram stop

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Didsbury tram stop</span> Manchester Metrolink tram stop

East Didsbury is a tram stop on Greater Manchester's light rail Metrolink system and the terminus of the system's South Manchester Line (SML). It is on the east side of Kingsway in East Didsbury, close to Manchester's boundary with Heaton Mersey in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport. It was built as part of Phase 3b of the network's expansion and opened on 23 May 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Withington tram stop</span> Manchester Metrolink tram stop

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Manchester Metrolink</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Manchester Line</span> Manchester Metrolink line

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proposed developments of Manchester Metrolink</span> Development of Manchester Metrolink light rail system

This is a list of confirmed or proposed future developments of the Manchester Metrolink light rail system in Greater Manchester, England.

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Bibliography