October ’09 will be end of the line

THE Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive and Northern Rail have announced October 3, 2009, as the date when the Metrolink expansion will become a reality for Oldhamers.

After nearly 130 years, the final train will run on the line between Manchester, Oldham and Rochdale before workmen move in to replace the rails with tram tracks.

But it will be two years before the first tram is able to run, with transport bosses planning an expansion of the bus network to carry passengers in the meantime.

Trains will continue to run as normal on the line between Manchester, Rochdale and Leeds while the work takes place.

GMPTE’s Metrolink director, Philip Purdy, said: “As well as replacing the stations with Metrolink stops, we’ll be building six new stops.

“The track will be upgraded and we have already ordered cars to run on the line.

“The tram service will be more than twice as frequent as the train service, and will provide a direct link into Manchester city centre and beyond.

“It will also make it much easier to reach other destinations across Greater Manchester using public transport.”

GMPTE is overseeing a £575 million expansion of the Metrolink network to Oldham and Rochdale, Droylsden and Chorlton.

But there could be greater public transport improvements in the region if the controversial £3 billion Transport Innovation Fund is given the go-ahead.

It would be partly paid for by a congestion charge in and out of Manchester. A postal referendum will be held in December to see if residents accept the scheme.

Trams are expected to begin running to Oldham Mumps in late 2011, and to Rochdale in early 2012.

Two large park and ride sites will be created at Hollinwood and Derker and improvements made to Shaw and Crompton car park and other stops to boost the number of spaces to more than 250.

Passengers will only be able to buy annual season tickets for Oldham trains until October 4.