Timeline of Manchester Metrolink

This timeline lists significant events in the history of Greater Manchester's light rail network called the Manchester Metrolink.

1960s

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1968

  • The Transport Act 1968 sets out terms under which passenger transport executives and passenger transport authorities are to be formed to co-ordinate and operate public transport in the United Kingdom's six largest conurbations outside London.[1]

1969

  • SELNEC PTE (South East Lancashire North East Cheshire Passenger Transport Executive) is established on 1 November 1969 with reference to the Transport Act 1968 to improve public transport in Manchester and its surrounding municipalities.[2]

1970s

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1972

1973

1974

1977

  • Unable to secure funding from the government,[11] the Greater Manchester County Council abandons plans for the Picc-Vic tunnel on economic grounds.[12][10]

1980s

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Docklands Light Railway rolling stock on public display in Debdale Park on 9 February 1987

1982

  • GMPTE conclude that an over-ground metropolitan light rail system to replace or complement the region's under-used heavy railways is the most economical solution to improving Greater Manchester's public transport network.[8]

1983

  • As part of its proposals for light rail, GMPTE suggest that the Oldham Loop Line be re-routed and extended with on-street tramways through Oldham and Rochdale town centres.[13]
  • The Greater Manchester County Council purchases a disused section of the Cheshire Lines Committee railway between Chorlton-cum-Hardy and Didsbury for £1, hoping to stop development along the route and preserve it for use with a future light rail network.[14]

1984

  • A Rail Study Group composed of officials from British Rail, Greater Manchester County Council and GMPTE, formally endorse a light rail system for Greater Manchester.[8]
  • Proposals are released for a 62-mile (100 km) network consisting of three lines between: Altrincham-Hadfield, Bury-Marple and Rochdale-East Didsbury.

1985

1986

  • The Greater Manchester County Council is abolished on 31 March 1986 under the Local Government Act 1985. GMPTE becomes a joint-board of the ten district councils of Greater Manchester.[2]
  • GMPTE propose that Greater Manchester's light rail system include a line to Salford Quays to complement the regeneration of the Manchester Docks.[15][16]

1987

1988

1989

1990s

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Metrolink under construction in 1991, as viewed from Manchester Piccadilly railway station

1990

  • The contract to design, build, maintain and operate Metrolink is formally signed on 6 June 1990.[24]
  • Legal authority to construct a Metrolink line to Salford Quays is acquired.[15][16]

1991

  • The Bury Line between Manchester and Bury is closed in stages between 13 July 1991 and 17 August 1991. Its 1,200 V DC third rail electrified line is adapted for a 750 V DC overhead line operation.[25]

1992

1994

  • A public consultation and public inquiry result in government endorsement of a Metrolink line to Salford Quays in 1994.[25][15][16]

1995

1997

  • April 1997: Altram, a consortium of the Serco, Gio. Ansaldo & C. and John Laing is appointed to construct the Eccles line; Serco takes on responsibility to operate and maintain the whole network under contract.[15][16][30]
  • Serco Metrolink, a wholly owned subsidiary of Serco Limited, take over the operations and maintenance of Metrolink on 26 May 1997.[31]
  • Construction of the Eccles Line officially begins on 17 July 1997.[15][16][30]

1999

  • The Eccles Line is officially opened as far as Broadway tram stop on 6 December 1999 by Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who praises Metrolink as "exactly the type of scheme needed to solve the transport problems of the metropolitan areas of the country".[32][33]

2000s

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2000

2001

2003

  • March 2003: Serco Investments buy out its partners; Altram (Manchester) Limited becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Serco.[31]
  • 31 March 2003: A new Metrolink stop opens at Shudehill, serving Shudehill Interchange.

2004

2005

  • 11 January 2005: A derailment occurs on London Road.[35]
  • April 2005: Work on Central Park tram stop and a bridge over the heavy Calder Valley Line commences.[36]
  • 8 November 2005: A near miss occurs between two track workers and a tram; the tram ran over track maintenance equipment.[37]

2006

  • 22 March 2006: T-68 tram #1011 bound for Altrincham (from Bury) exiting Victoria derails just before getting onto the street on Long Millgate at 08:03, as a result of a track defect. After the derailment, the tram travelled an extra 44 metres (144 ft) before stopping. Damage occurred to 0.6 metres (2 ft 0 in) of track was damaged, and services were suspended on the Bury Line. The track repairs took place at 17:00, and normal service resumed the following day.[35]
  • 20 May 2006: A person becomes trapped under a Metrolink vehicle, causing a three-hour delay on the system.[37]

2007

2008

2009

  • May 2009: Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (formerly GMPTA) and AGMA agree to create the Greater Manchester Transport Fund, £1.5 billion raised from a combination of a levy on council tax in Greater Manchester, government grants, contributions from the Manchester Airports Group, Metrolink fares and third-party funding for "major transport schemes" in the region.[47][20]
  • 3 October 2009: The last Oldham Loop Line train leaves Manchester Victoria at 23:28 and closes for conversion from heavy rail to Metrolink.[48][49]
  • 21 December 2009: Following test runs in November, the first new M5000 tram enters service.

2010s

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2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

  • 26 June 2016: Start of a two-month closure of the Eccles Line for essential track maintenance.[87]

2017

2018

2019

  • 13 January 2019: New Metrolink ticket zones 1-4 launched.
  • 20 March 2019: Near Altrincham tram stop in the afternoon, the Bombardier M5000 Metrolink vehicle 3006 becomes the first of the Metrolink's vehicles to have travelled a total of 1,000,000 km since being put into service.[96]
  • 15 July 2019: New "touch-in, touch-out" contactless payment method launched (adult fares only).[97]
  • 10 November 2019: The first test tram runs on the Trafford Park Line overnight between Pomona and Village.[98]

2020s

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2020

2021

  • 27 July 2021: As over 20% of the Metrolink's workforce was off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the enhanced service routes that operate during peak times to increase capacity (Altrincham–Bury, Shaw–East Didsbury etc.) could not do so, which forced the Metrolink to instead operate a Sunday service. Furthermore, as these extra services usually begin to leave the two depots after 6am, and more drivers called in sick, 'minor delays' were experienced on multiple lines from 7am: Altrincham, Oldham and Rochdale, and South Manchester. This was also happening alongside engineering works on the Eccles Line.[101]
  • 10 December 2021: A teenage boy was hit by a tram at around 17:00 GMT near Ashton Moss tram stop.[102]

2023

2024

Future events

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Fawcett 2000, p. 19.
  2. ^ a b c d Hellewell & Reeve 2013, p. 5.
  3. ^ "Manchester unearths forgotten 1970s tube line". Architects Journal. 13 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  4. ^ HMSO. Local Government Act 1972. 1972 c.70
  5. ^ "Manchester's tube train that never was". The Guardian. 14 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  6. ^ "British Local Election Database, 1889–2003". Arts and Humanities data service. 28 June 2006. Retrieved 5 March 2008.
  7. ^ Frangopulo 1977, p. 246.
  8. ^ a b c Holt 1992, pp. 6–7.
  9. ^ Frangopulo 1977, p. 187.
  10. ^ a b Holt 1992, p. 5.
  11. ^ Donald, Cross & Bristow 1983, p. 45.
  12. ^ Ogden & Senior 1992, p. 22.
  13. ^ a b Young 2008, p. 163.
  14. ^ a b Kirby, Dean (23 May 2013). "First passengers travel on tram extension to East Didsbury". Manchester Evening News. manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g GMPTE 2000.
  16. ^ a b c d e f GMPTE 2003, p. 10.
  17. ^ Ogden & Senior 1992, p. 37.
  18. ^ Holt 1992, pp. 92–93.
  19. ^ "Metrolink trams reach Oldham Mumps". Railway Gazette International. railwaygazette.com. 13 June 2012. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  20. ^ a b "Manchester Metrolink Phase 3b confirmed". Railway Gazette International. railwaygazette.com. 5 August 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  21. ^ "Bringing Metrolink to Oldham and Rochdale" (PDF). tfgm.com. 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  22. ^ Holt 1992, pp. 26–27.
  23. ^ Ogden & Senior 1992, p. 51.
  24. ^ a b c Ogden & Senior 1992, p. 47.
  25. ^ a b c d Kessell, Clive (30 November 2011). "Manchester Metrolink 20 Years of Evolution". therailengineer.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  26. ^ Ogden & Senior 1992, p. 82.
  27. ^ a b c d Holt 1992, p. 90.
  28. ^ GMPTE 2003, p. 9.
  29. ^ "Manchester's oldest Metrolink trams to be replaced". BBC. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  30. ^ a b "Manchester Metrolink, United Kingdom". railway-technology.com. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  31. ^ a b "Past, Present and Future" (PDF). Metrolink. 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 March 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  32. ^ Ward, David (2 August 2004). "Tram fury rattles ministers". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  33. ^ GMPTE 2003, p. 13.
  34. ^ "Whistle-stop Princess takes home hat souvenir". Manchester Evening News. menmedia.co.uk. 9 January 2001. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
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  36. ^ Satchell, Clarissa (6 April 2005). "Tram interchange gets £36m go-ahead". Manchester Evening News. menmedia.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  37. ^ a b Metrolink Service Performance (Report). Transport for Greater Manchester Committee. 11 August 2006. Archived from the original on 1 September 2012.
  38. ^ Rail Accident Report: Derailment of a tram at Pomona, Manchester 17 January 2007 (PDF) (Report). Rail Accident Investigation Branch. April 2008.
  39. ^ "Stagecoach signs Manchester Metrolink contract". Press release. Stagecoach Group. 29 May 2007. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
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  42. ^ "The Link" (PDF). tfgm.com. 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2013.[permanent dead link]
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  45. ^ "Date set for C-charge referendum". BBC News. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  46. ^ Sturcke, James (12 December 2008). "Manchester says no to congestion charging". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 December 2008.
  47. ^ TfGM 2012, p. 14.
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  49. ^ "End of era as loop line is replaced". Manchester Evening News. menmedia.co.uk. 26 September 2008. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
  50. ^ "Ashton and Didsbury Metrolink extensions funded". Railway Gazette International. railwaygazette.com. 8 March 2010. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  51. ^ "Manchester Metrolink Phase 3b confirmed - Railway Gazette". 31 December 2013. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  52. ^ Metrolink trams pull in to MediaCityUK station for first time Manchester Evening News 20 September 2010
  53. ^ "Manchester Metrolink starts Phase 3b". Railway Gazette International. railwaygazette.com. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  54. ^ "All change: Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive becomes Transport for Greater Manchester – with a new logo of course". Manchester Evening News. manchestereveningnews.co.uk. 1 April 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  55. ^ Rail Accident Report: Fatal accident at Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, 5 June 2011 (PDF) (Report). Rail Accident Investigation Branch. May 2012.
  56. ^ Jones, Chris (27 July 2011). "Kingsway developers to foot the bill for Metrolink tram stop". Manchester Evening News. menmedia.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  57. ^ "RATP buys Manchester Metrolink operator". Railway Gazette International. 2 August 2011.
  58. ^ Britton, Paul (25 November 2012). "Giant construction project to position 580-tonne bridge over M56 completed eight hours early". Manchester Evening News. manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  59. ^ Kirby, Dean (12 December 2012). "Shaw and Crompton Metrolink trams start this Sunday". Manchester Evening News. menmedia.co.uk. Archived from the original on 15 December 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  60. ^ "Metrolink stations 'to boost two Greater Manchester areas'". BBC. 16 December 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  61. ^ Glendinning, Amy (21 December 2012). "Delays after Metrolink tram derails in Piccadilly Gardens". Archived from the original on 1 January 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  62. ^ "Truck collides with Eccles bound tram in Weaste and closes Eccles New Road". Manchester Evening News. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
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  64. ^ Kirby, Dean (11 February 2013). "Trams begin test-running on new Metrolink line to Rochdale". Manchester Evening News. manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
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  67. ^ Kirby, Dean (12 May 2013). "Manchester city centre tram stop reaches the end of the line". Manchester Evening News. manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  68. ^ Kirby, Dean (22 May 2013). "Destination Didsbury – Metrolink trams to start tomorrow, three months early". Manchester Evening News. manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  69. ^ "Overnight Metrolink works in July". Rochdale Online. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
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  71. ^ Qureshi, Yakub (31 July 2013). "Pensioner Found Dead on Metrolink Line". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  72. ^ "Metrolink Tram Collides with Car in City Centre". Manchester Evening News. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  73. ^ "Metrolink Tram Derails Blocking the Line to Bury". Manchester Evening News. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
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  83. ^ "News 2019 — Manchester Metrolink — LRTA". lrta.info. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  84. ^ "Manchester Metrolink trams disrupted in city centre revamp". BBC News. 28 June 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  85. ^ "News 2015 — Manchester Metrolink — LRTA". www.lrta.info. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  86. ^ "Next stop Exchange Square! Metrolink trams now running to new city centre stop". TfGM. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  87. ^ Cox, Charlotte (27 June 2016). "Commuters face first full day of disruption as Eccles Metrolink line is closed for two months". Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  88. ^ KeolisAmey Awarded Contract to run Greater Manchester's Metrolink Archived 23 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine Keolis
  89. ^ Southern Rail operator to take over running of Metrolink Manchester Evening News 18 January 2017
  90. ^ Abbit, Beth (23 July 2017). "Metrolink network suspended for SECOND time after 'communications fault'". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  91. ^ "News 2018 — Manchester Metrolink — LRTA". lrta.info. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  92. ^ "News 2018 — Manchester Metrolink — LRTA". lrta.info. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  93. ^ "VolkerRail: Video shows removal of 13.5 tonne footbridge for new Trafford Centre tram line by MPT - VolkerWessels UK". www.volkerwessels.co.uk. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
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  95. ^ "News 2018 — Manchester Metrolink — LRTA". lrta.info. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  96. ^ Barlow, Nigel (20 March 2019). "Major Metrolink mileage magic". About Manchester. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  97. ^ "News 2019 — Manchester Metrolink — LRTA". lrta.info. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  98. ^ "News 2019 — Manchester Metrolink — LRTA". lrta.info. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  99. ^ "New Metrolink fares from 26 January 2020". New Metrolink fares from 26 January 2020 | Bee Network | Powered by TfGM. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  100. ^ Robson, Steve (8 December 2020). "Major response to 'serious' crash involving Metrolink tram and van". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  101. ^ Davies, Ethan (27 July 2021). "Metrolink hit by delays - just ONE HOUR after saying service back to normal". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  102. ^ "Ashton-under-Lyne teen seriously hurt after being hit by tram". BBC News. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  103. ^ a b c d Clyde-Smith, Imogen (9 December 2023). "LIVE: Manchester city centre tram stops SHUT with major Metrolink disruption". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  104. ^ Blakey, by Ashlie; Updated (7 March 2024). "Tram line blocked after police respond to crash". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  105. ^ "Record Sunday ridership on Metrolink". www.modernrailways.com. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.

Bibliography

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