13.09.07
Nationwide search begins for new tram team
A nationwide search has started for a new team to oversee the high-profile expansion of the Metrolink light-rail network
Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) is investing over £600 million on expanding the Metrolink network and making major improvements to the existing system. It is searching for 20 new employees during the first stage of recruitment, and is advertising the roles in a wide range of national publications.
Urvashi Bramwell, GMPTE's Organisational Development Director, said: "We've recently appointed a delivery partner to help oversee the expansion of the network and we can now begin a nationwide search for people to be a part of the new Metrolink team.
"We're looking for highly-skilled individuals with expertise in areas ranging from project management to engineering and finance. This is a fantastic opportunity for people who want to take on new challenges to be involved in one of Greater Manchester's most important and exciting new projects."
Last month, GMPTE appointed Parsons Brinckerhoff as the Metrolink delivery partner. The company has strong programme management, procurement, technical, operational and commercial expertise. It will help to ensure that the new Metrolink lines are built on time and on budget.
GMPTE has also begun the process of selecting a major construction company to build the new Metrolink lines by publishing a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union. The notice gives companies details about the new lines.
Metrolink recently celebrated its fifteenth birthday and is continuing to grow in popularity. Passengers now make 55,000 journeys on the network every day - nearly 20 million each year. Work on the new Metrolink lines to Oldham and Rochdale, Droylsden in Tameside, and Chorlton in South Manchester is due to start next year.
The new 13.7 mile (22 km) extension to Oldham and Rochdale will replace the existing railway line which links the two towns with Manchester; the 4 mile (6.4 km) extension to Droylsden will serve New East Manchester, the City of Manchester Stadium, and the Velodrome; and the 1.8 mile (2.9 km) extension to Chorlton will replace a section of disused railway line between Trafford Bar and St Werburgh's Road.
GMPTE also recently ordered eight new trams to increase capacity on the existing network, and work has been taking place throughout the summer to replace nearly 20 miles of track on the Bury and Altrincham line.
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