Piccadilly direct link 'is essential'

SUPPORT for a Piccadilly direct line from Oldham is wide, says Councillor Sykes

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A COUNCILLOR is calling for TfGM to honour a commitment made 27 years ago and provide a direct Metrolink line from Oldham to Manchester Piccadilly.

Councillor Howard Sykes wrote to the chief executive of TfGM to seek assurances that trams stopping at Shaw and Crompton will see service changes to go straight to Piccadilly, rather than commuters having to change at Manchester Victoria.

In 1989, the phase 1 scheme to convert the Oldham Rochdale Loop Rail Line to Metrolink operation was based on the understanding that it would provide Oldham and Rochdale with a direct link to Piccadilly, and Councillor Sykes believes this agreement remains in place.

Furthermore, Councillor Sykes argues that the new Metrolink 2017 contract provides TfGM the opportunity to meet this commitment and if missed, Oldham will be the only Greater Manchester district not to have a link with Piccadilly station and London train services once the Ordsall Chord rail link opens next year.

Despite trams not travelling directly to Piccadilly, the frequency of trams from Shaw and Crompton to Victoria has increased to every six minutes.

Although Councillor Sykes is pleased with the frequency, he is seeking confirmation that a permanent link will be in place when the new Metrolink contract comes into effect next year.

In a letter to TfGM chief executive Jon Lamonte, Cllr Sykes said: "My concern is that now there have been service changes in Metrolink, trams stopping at Shaw and Crompton only go to East Didsbury or to Exchange Square. There is no longer any direct Metrolink connection to the principal city-centre railway station, Manchester Piccadilly.

"While I welcome the increase in service frequency from Shaw and Crompton to Victoria to every six minutes, I note that there is a disconnect with the 12-minute service from Victoria to Piccadilly.

"This appears to be completely contrary to the aims outlined in the original business case, namely a desire to enable passengers from Shaw and Crompton, one of the busiest Metrolink stops in the network, and other stops on the Rochdale Oldham line, to directly access both the Manchester Victoria and Piccadilly railway stations.

"I have raised this matter at Oldham Council meetings and colleagues of all parties and none are in agreement and consider a direct link to Piccadilly as essential in order to maximise access to employment, transport and leisure opportunities for our residents.

"Is it not possible to run a direct service to Piccadilly via Victoria and then to continue that service on to East Didsbury, with the return being the reverse? This will provide the direct service and also allow passengers using the tram from stops from the East Didsbury line better access to Piccadilly.

"Furthermore, will the Second City Crossing not soon make the connections still better, with Oldham-Rochdale passengers able to access South Manchester line stops, and residents in South Manchester able to travel directly to Victoria?"

TfGM said it was formulating a response to the concerns in Councillor Sykes' letter.