Oldham’s ticket to Park and Ride
Date published: 30 March 2010
TRANSPORT chiefs have bought the derelict B&Q site in Mumps to transform into a 200-space Park and Ride hub for Metrolink.
Acquiring the land gives the green light for a Metrolink stop and bus stands that will kick-start the regeneration of the area as a key gateway into the town centre.
The leaders of Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) and Oldham Council have welcomed the news, saying Mumps will offer vastly improved tram connections with bus services and parking.
A planning application will be submitted once detailed designs have been finalised.
GMITA chairman, Councillor Keith Whitmore, said: “Acquiring the land has been key to this project going ahead, so I’m delighted that this has now been finalised and we can reveal the exact location of what will be a fantastic new transport hub for Oldham town centre.
“We’ve developed the plans in close consultation with Oldham Council and believe it represents the best strategic fit for the town centre.”
Oldham Council leader Howard Sykes said: “This is exciting news that moves our Metrolink plans a significant step forward.
“For our commuters this will create a fantastic new integrated transport facility in the Mumps area that will benefit those using trams, cars and buses. This scheme also makes sound economic and regeneration sense because it now enables us to remodel this area.
“We can redefine it as a new gateway to Oldham and unlock some unprecedented opportunities to improve traffic flow, access to the town centre, and open up isolated areas like the Southlink business park.”
Plans will see Mumps Bridge knocked down and trams eventually running across Mumps Roundabout every six minutes and along Union Street. There will be further stops on Union Street, King Street, Manchester Street and in Westwood before trams rejoin the loop line in Werneth.
Work to convert the loop line to tram tracks is under way and it will open in three phases: to Central Park in spring, 2011, to Mumps in autumn, 2011, and to Rochdale Railway Station in spring, 2012. The line will then divert to run along Union Street in 2014.
The town centre line is one of 15 major transport schemes funded by the Greater Manchester Transport Fund — a £1.5 billion investment programme created by GMITA and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities.
