11.11.16
Second City Crossing gets green light to open in early 2017
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) leaders have given the city’s expanding light rail network Metrolink the green light to open its Second City Crossing (2CC) in early 2017, approving its plans in a committee meeting today.
The new 2CC line will allow more trams to run right into the heart of Manchester city centre, expanding services to Manchester Airport and connecting a greater number of locations across the city. It is hoped that the route will improve Metrolink’s flexibility and reliability.
The first phase of the line opened in December 2015, spanning from Manchester Victoria train station through to a new stop at Exchange Square. The project was fast-tracked in 2014 due to a £10.8m grant received from the European Regional Development Fund.
Cllr Andrew Fender, chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “It’s an exciting time for Metrolink as we gear up for the Second City Crossing opening early next year. Under these new plans high frequency services will run to major city centre employment areas, with a targeted approach to meet passenger demand to travel along each route.”
“This new line will provide much-needed operational flexibility and resilience for the largest light rail network in the UK – one that is set to expand either further with a new line to Trafford Park. I look forward to customers reaping the benefits in the New Year.”
All major construction work on 2CC will be finished in time for the busy festive period, with a thorough testing and commissioning process to follow before the new line fully opens early next year.
TfGM have planned a major marketing and information campaign to prepare passengers for service changes associated with the opening of the line. Service patterns will continue to be monitored and tailored to ensure that the network continues to meet customer demand.
The 2CC is part of Manchester council’s transformational Grow project which will invest more than £1bn into city centre infrastructure improvements by 2017. These will include bus priority measures, six new cycle routes into the city centre and major rail improvements.
(Image: 721 Exchange Square Oldham tram web)
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