Metrolink plans could create "Northern Circular"

Andy Burnham and Sean Fielding on a site visit to the Oldham King Street tram stop Jan 2020

A plan to connect the Bury Metrolink line to the Oldham and Rochdale line via Middleton - the so-called ‘Northern Circular’ - has moved a step closer with the publication of a five-year transport delivery plan by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)

The document sets out potential investments in the region’s transport infrastructure including bus corridor upgrades, station and interchange enhancements, new Metrolink lines and new tram-trains which run on both the Metrolink network and heavy rail lines.

Among proposals is a Metrolink extension to Middleton as a spur off the current Bury line. The connection of Middleton to the Metrolink network, a plan described as making “economic sense” by TfGM officials back in 2019.

The ambition now is for the spur to continue beyond Middleton and connect to the Oldham line. The extension would make it possible to travel via Metrolink between Bury, Oldham and Rochdale, without the need to pass through Manchester city centre.

Commenting on the proposal, Oldham Council Leader Sean Fielding said, “I’ve always been keen to see high frequency connections between the northern towns of Greater Manchester. These exist in some part in the form of bus services at the moment, but really if the Metrolink is coming as far as Middleton then it doesn’t have to be extended much further to join up with the Oldham line.”

Oldham Council have campaigned for the extension for some time, and the plan also has the support of Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, who visited Oldham’s King Street Metrolink stop last year to discuss the extension with Councillor Fielding.

Mr Burnham told the GMCA meeting: “I agree that we need to see Metrolink expand in the south and particularly in the north where we have ambitions for economic regeneration.”

The plan, including the commitment to work up options for a Middleton-Oldham Metrolink line was agreed unanimously for adoption and publication.

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