£120.9 million funding to extend Manchester Metrolink

Commuters can now take Metrolink to Ashton and East Didsbury.

The Manchester Metrolink is set to be extended after £120.9 million funding to the two tram extensions was approved.

The Manchester Metrolink system is set to double in capacity once these two extensions and the ones to Oldham, Rochdale, and Chorlton, have all been completed.

The proposed 4.5km Chorlton to East Didsbury extension will run on the route of a former railway line and will include five new tram stops, connecting Chorlton with Withington, West Didsbury, Burton Road Didsbury Village and East Didsbury.

The Ashton extension will see 3.9 km of new track laid and four new stops, connecting the town centres of Droylsden and Ashton. The funding will also pay for six trams to the Metrolink fleet and two new park and ride sites at Ashton Moss and Ashton West for over 600 cars.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive plans to commence main construction works early next year, with the East Didsbury line anticipated to be ready for service in summer 2013 and the Ashton line ready for service in winter 2013/14.

Sadiq Khan said: "People travelling to and from Didsbury and Ashton will now reap the benefits of a having a direct link to the City Centre - improving job opportunities and giving a boost to local businesses."

"As well as helping to regenerate some of the most deprived areas along both these corridors more passengers on the tram will reduce traffic congestion in the area and provide better local air quality."

Further information:
Metrolink