The future of town centre travel

NEXT stop Oldham . . . an artist’s impression of a Metrolink tram at Star Inn

Oldhamers could be forgiven for thinking that Metrolink has arrived.

In fact it is the next best thing — an artist’s impression giving local people the feel of what the town centre tram system will look like.

The sneak preview has been provided by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority.

It shows a Metrolink tram at the summit of the proposed town extension at the point before it would descend towards the tunnel linking Oldham King Street to the new Westwood stop.

The tram is superimposed on a picture which is has been superseded by demolition. The Pennine Way Hotel on the right of the tram has now been flattened.

The line through Oldham will be part of the wider Metrolink improvements which will connect Oldham and Rochdale and Ashton town centres as well as the Trafford Centre, Manchester Airport and East Didsbury.

Funding of £3 billion from the Transport Innovation Fund would see trams running into the heart of the town centre along King Street and Union Street as well as huge improvements to buses and trains.

Trams would run every six minutes during peak times between Oldham and Manchester, with trams every 12 minutes in the evenings and every 15 minutes on Sundays.

The demolition of the Pennine Way Hotel is no coincidence. It has been demolished to make way for a new and vibrant West End area.

The site of the hotel is seen to be a key to the regeneration of the area and will feature a Metrolink stop and a range of retail and commercial develpments.