Next stop, Shaw!

NEXT stop Shaw - at least from Sunday

Waiting over as Derker line gets green light
TRAMS will be running to Shaw and Derker on Sunday in a surprise Christmas boost for shops and businesses.

The Oldham to Rochdale section had originally been due to open in spring 2012, and after a series of setbacks it was not expected to be running until the New Year. But last night Metrolink bosses announced the line to Shaw and Crompton will be open on Sunday — giving shoppers hunting for Christmas presents the chance to catch the tram into town and beyond.

The first public tram to arrive at Derker will leave Oldham Mumps at around 6.50am and arrive at 6.54am. The same tram will reach Shaw & Crompton at around 6.59am.

Journeys from Shaw to Manchester will take less than 30 minutes. It isn’t yet known when the service to Rochdale will begin.

Councillor Andrew Fender, chairman of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “The new Metrolink line to Oldham Mumps has already proved to be a fantastic addition to what Oldham has to offer. I’m sure these two new stops will be very popular.”

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Oldham Council’s Cabinet member for housing, transport and planning, said: “This is great news and a superb early Christmas present for our borough. The opening of the line to Shaw and Crompton, and Derker, is a very important phase of the project and will act as a real boost to people living in these areas.”



Travel costs and where to park
Around 100 new park and ride spaces will be available at Derker, with another 154 available in a few months.

Parking at Shaw and Crompton has also been refurbished, providing more than 40 spaces. Plans are being made to provide more spaces.

More than 200 spaces will eventually be provided at Rochdale Railway Station.

Tickets from Shaw & Crompton to all stops in Manchester city centre will cost £4.10 (peak anytime single) and £6.20 (peak anytime return). The same tickets to Oldham Mumps will cost £2.10 and £3.60 respectively.

Tickets from Derker to Manchester will cost £3.40, or £5 return. Price to Oldham Mumps are £1.30 and £2 respectively.



Shaw Lib-Dem Councillor Howard Sykes said: “We have waited years and this has to be a welcome Christmas present for local residents and potential users.

“Hopefully some of the decisions we made and lobbied for years ago about the Shaw stop will now come to fruition.”