Trafford Park Line marks progress with track laying at intu Trafford Centre

Metrolink’s Trafford Park Line took another step forward today with track laying at intu Trafford Centre, the final destination of this major new extension.

Cllr Mark Aldred, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Committee; Zoe Inman, intu Trafford Centre’s Operations Manager and James Whittaker, Group Development Director for Peel Land and Property were among the attendees to witness the milestone on Barton Dock Road.

The £350m Trafford Park Line extension, which is due to open in 2020, will add a further 5.5km and six stops to Metrolink, already the UK’s largest light rail network. The new line is being funded by Greater Manchester’s Devolution Deal, which was signed by the city-region’s leaders in 2014. Trafford Council are providing £20m towards the project.

Cllr Mark Aldred, Chair of the TfGM Committee said: “Track laying at intu Trafford Centre is another large symbolic step forward for the Trafford Park Line. The great progress we have made so far is due to the hard work, expertise and co-operation of everyone working on this project, including Trafford Council, MPT, intu Trafford Centre, EventCity and the Peel Group.

“Trafford Park and intu Trafford Centre are two of the economic hearts of our city-region. When it is open the new line will provide a vital link to them and the jobs, cultural attractions and shopping along the route. This means people will have a real alternative to driving, meaning fewer cars on the road, less congestion and less pollution.”

Track is also now being laid at EventCity, Parkway, Village Way and Warren Bruce Road. Thanks to close partnership working between TfGM and the utility companies, over 190km of infrastructure – including electricity, gas, water and telecommunications pipes and cabling - has been rerouted. The recent completion of this utility diversion work means work can continue on schedule to construct the new tram infrastructure along the full route.

Cllr Andrew Western, Leader of Trafford Council, said: “This scheme is hugely important for Trafford Park and the areas around intu Trafford Centre, both of which are essential to our local economy; not only do they provide thousands of jobs, they also attract a significant number of visitors while also delivering continued growth, regeneration and investment. So it’s great to see this project progressing to the next stage; once it’s completed, the Trafford Park line will be a key tram service for the people of Trafford and beyond.”

intu Trafford Centre is one of the largest shopping centres in the UK. It has more than 200 stores and leisure attractions and attracts millions of annual visitors and has thousands of employees.

Zoe Inman, Operations Manager for intu Trafford Centre, said: “We are delighted to see the Trafford Park extension progressing at such a pace and are looking forward to seeing it open in 2020. The two new stops will provide excellent access to the centre linking us to Trafford Park, Manchester city centre and the wider Metrolink network.”

James Whittaker, Group Development Director for Peel Land and Property, said: “It’s fantastic to see the extent of progress being made by Transport for Greater Manchester on the Trafford Park extension to Metrolink. We are delighted to be supporting TfGM and Trafford Council in bringing Metrolink services to hugely popular destinations within TraffordCity, including intu Trafford Centre and EventCity.”

Further progress will be made in the coming months with early work taking place at Pomona stop to start to connect the Trafford Park Line to the existing Metrolink network. This will involve the temporary closure of the Eccles Line between Cornbrook and Eccles, including the MediaCityUK spur, from Saturday 28 July to Thursday 9 August 2018 (inclusive). In September, beams will be installed to form a new bridge to carry the new Metrolink line over the Bridgewater Canal adjacent to Park Way - another major milestone.

Update - Metrolink Trafford Park Line – Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders – Parkway Circle

Dear recipient

Update - Metrolink Trafford Park Line – Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders – Parkway Circle

Further to our previous email dated 7 July regarding essential work taking place on Parkway Circle.

The Metrolink contractor, Trafford Council and TfGM have reviewed the phasing of these works, and, as a result, have been able to reduce the lengths of time for some of the required road closures.

The work will now include some day working and lane restrictions.

 Please find below the plans detailing each phase of the works commencing from Monday 23 July.

33119-4.2-0047A Park Way Circle, Stretford (Surfacing Phasing) 

33119-4.2-0047B Park Way Circle, Stretford (Surfacing Phasing)

33119-4.2-0047C Park Way Circle, Stretford (Surfacing Phasing)

33119-4.2-0047D Park Way Circle, Stretford (Surfacing Phasing) 

33119-4.2-0047E Park Way Circle, Stretford (Surfacing Phasing) 

Please Note:

In all phases (1 to 4a/b) the colours represent the following:

Green – access routes open for all local traffic.

Red – lane and road closures

Blue – the work area of the contractor (MPT)

Please be aware that Phases 2 to 4a/b have both daytime and night time traffic management plans to detail the various road closures that will be in place.

These works represent the final stages in road surfacing, road line marking and testing and commissioning of the new/permanent traffic signals in this area.

We appreciate your patience during the construction of the Trafford Park Line.

If you have any family, friends, co-workers who you feel would benefit from being kept up to date with the project works, please forward the website details www.tfgm.com/MetrolinkTPL on to them.

TfGM will continue to engage with stakeholders along the route and will provide further information as we progress. In the meantime, if you have any queries regarding the scheme or if you would like to arrange a meeting, please contact either me or a member of the Metrolink team on 0161 244 1555 or email MetrolinkTPL@tfgm.com.  

Kind Regards

Angela Forster

Senior Communications Officer

Transport for Greater Manchester

Scoot Fit at MediaCityUK

MediaCityUK has announced they are joining forces with Scoot Fit to launch the first ever “Scoot Tours” available for the general public to have fun and take in local sights.

Scoot Fit are a professional scooting company whose aim is to get more people scooting, with an ultimate goal is scooting to be a popular mode of travel just like walking or cycling.

Scoot Fit already work in nurseries, schools, leisure centres, universities, workplaces and now MediaCityUK.

The “Scoot Tours” will involve participants moving at a leisurely pace around part of the canal walkway adjacent to the Piazza at MediaCityUK, stopping every few minutes to take on a skills challenge which will test each person’s ability and confidence level in scooting.

The tours are designed to be a fun activity and will either be a great introduction or a way of improving your confidence in scooting. 

Scoot Fit will show you:

·         The do’s and don’ts of scooting in a public place

·         How to improve your scooting techniques

·         How to be safe scooting.

If you are looking for a fun hour of activity with friends or family, come along and let’s scoot.

Hourly slots will be available from 11am to 4pm from the 1st August to the 27th August.  Maximum of 10 children allowed per scooting group with unlimited adults.  Children under 8 years old have to be accompanied by an adult; each adult can have two children under their care.

James Rodger, Director at Scoot Fit said: “Scooting is a brilliant group activity bringing people together in a fun, friendly and healthy way. Scooting is a great activity to save time, keep fit or connect with your children. Scooting is still very new, especially for adults, it isn’t recognised as a form of active travel yet so this will be a great way to get more adults scooting to enjoy the benefits.”

·         20 minute walk can be completed  in 7 minutes on a scooter

·         Burns 30% more calories than running or cycling and is an all over body workout

·         Safer than cycling as you scoot on the pavement and not on the road.

To book your place, click here.

First projects to kick-start Greater Manchester’s cycling and walking network announced

A host of high-profile cycling and walking schemes and upgrades – set to transform how people travel in every area of Greater Manchester – will be considered by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) next week.

The first 15 projects that will form part of Greater Manchester’s cycling and walking network have been put forward for funding. If approved, it would see around £25 million provided from the Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund and a further £4 million funded by Greater Manchester’s district councils and the Department for Transport’s Cycle City Ambition Grant.

All 10 Greater Manchester local authorities stand to benefit from at least one scheme with work beginning by the end of the year.
The proposed projects will deliver 60 new and upgraded crossings and junctions as well as 15 miles of new cycling and walking routes. This includes six miles of Dutch-style cycle lanes that are separated from motor traffic.

Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said: “We asked Greater Manchester’s 10 local authorities to hit the ground running and they’ve been able to turn these first proposed projects around very quickly. This is a real achievement in itself and will help us to keep up momentum on transforming the city-region into a better place to be.

“The list of proposed projects announced today is the first of many for each local authority and we hope to publish the next list in the coming weeks. One thing we won’t compromise on is quality; we’re working closely with all 10 local authorities to ensure that every single project on this list meets a tough set of design standards. Only by doing this will we enable thousands more people to consider making more trips on foot or by bike.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The network will connect every community in Greater Manchester, opening up our neighbourhoods and making it far easier to travel on foot or by bike to school, to the shops, to work.

“It is hugely exciting to see the first of many schemes coming through and the impact will be truly transformational.”
The 15 proposed projects are:

• B6226 Bolton: This project will provide a high quality walking and cycling route to the town centre, running parallel to the much busier Chorley Old Road. The project includes signed quiet routes, improved crossings and routes through parks and public spaces. The project is expected to cost in the region of £1.5 million.

• 16 new and upgraded crossings and junctions in Bury: This project will deliver a mix of new and upgraded junctions at key locations. The project is expected to cost in the region of £2.6 million.

• Cycle parking facilities on the Bury Metrolink line: Covered Sheffield stands with lighting and CCTV will be installed in highly visible and accessible locations at nine stops. The project is expected to cost in the region of £1.2 million.

• Chorlton cycleway: This scheme will provide a high quality, segregated cycling route between Chorlton and Manchester city centre and will also significantly enhance the facilities for people travelling on foot. With £3.9 million already secured from existing Cycle City Ambition Grant funding, this scheme will benefit from a further £9.5 million additional contribution from the Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund. The total cost of the project is expected to cost in the region of £13.4 million.

• King Street bridge refurbishment, Oldham: Complete refurbishment of an existing pedestrian and cycle bridge, providing a key link into Oldham town centre from a number of residential areas to the south. The project is expected to cost in the region of £650,000.

• Union Street West bridge refurbishment, Oldham: The bridge has already been the subject of a partial refurbishment. This project will see the refurbishment completed, providing a replacement bridge deck surface to ensure the best possible level of service for users. The project is expected to cost in the region of £200,000.

• Castleton to Rochdale town centre: The project will provide a major enhancement to the high street in the local centre in Castleton including high quality, dedicated facilities for walking and cycling, and improved access to Castleton station. The project is expected to cost in the region of £1.2 million.

• Junctions in Swinton and Walkden, Salford: This project will provide an additional £1.1 million enhancement from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund, to existing proposed improvements as part of the Local Growth Deal Salford Bolton Improvement Programme at two key junctions.

• Junction enhancement at Broad Street / Frederick Road, Salford: Similarly, this project will enable additional major enhancements, to a value of £600,000 for people travelling by bike or on foot at a major junction along the A6 that was already due to be upgraded as part of the Local Growth Deal Salford Bolton Network Improvement Programme.

• Chapel Street East, Salford: This scheme is the first stage of a complete transformation of Chapel Street East. It will provide protected 2 metre-wide cycle tracks in each direction and priority for pedestrians and cyclists at side roads. It will set a new standard for cycling and walking provision in Salford, acting as a pilot project to demonstrate how a street can be transformed. The project is expected to cost in the region of £4.3 million with £500,000 committed by Salford City Council and £3.8 million from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund.

• Gillbent Road crossing update, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport: This scheme provides an enhanced crossing for people travelling by bike and on foot in Cheadle Hulme. It will better connect residential areas, including access to Thorn Grove Primary School. The project is expected to cost in the region of £110,000.

• Brinnington to Stockport town centre walking and cycling route: Linking to improvements taking place across Stockport through the Town Centre Access Plan (TCAP), this project will involve enhancing a key walking and cycling route, including upgrading a footpath to bridleway status as well as the refurbishment of an existing M60 underpass with new lighting and resurfacing. The project is expected to cost in the region of £450,000.

• New routes and filtered neighbourhoods in Tameside: This project involves a package of improvements such as creating filtered neighbourhoods where people are prioritised over cars. Upgrades will also be made to traffic free routes and segregated facilities will be provided for bikes on more major roads. The project is expected to cost in the region of £500,000.

• Talbot Road; White City Way to Seymour Grove, Trafford: This project involves upgrading this stretch of Talbot Road, enabling a consistent level of service for people travelling by bike or on foot. This ties in with existing work taking place to improve the cycling route along Talbot Road. The project is expected to cost in the region of £250,000.

• Victoria Street / Warrington road junction, Wigan: This scheme extends the innovative Saddle Junction cycle facility, which is under construction, to the southwest with further high quality cycling and walking infrastructure connecting with Alexandra Park. The project is expected to cost in the region of £700,000.

Since launching the first draft of the cycling and walking network map online last month, the mappingGM website has received over 2,000 comments from people across Greater Manchester. A series of public drop-in sessions will be hosted in each local authority over the coming weeks.

Chris Boardman added:
“The public response to the launch has been simply overwhelming. It has reinforced what we already knew; this is something that the people of Greater Manchester want. We are reclaiming streets so that they work for people first – just like we’ve seen many great cities around the world do – and we are ready to reap all of the benefits that come with it.

“We’re still a few months away from starting construction of the first completed route and it is crucial that we keep getting feedback from people in every area of Greater Manchester to help inform the plans as they evolve.”

The first draft of the network will remain open for comments on the www.mappingGM.org.uk/Beelines platform until the end of September. Comments will then be used to inform the second draft of the map which will be published later this year.

Update - Metrolink Eccles line – Temporary closure

Dear recipient

Metrolink Eccles line – Temporary closure for upcoming Trafford Park Metrolink line construction and Eccles line maintenance works

I am writing to update you regarding the above work taking place when the Eccles Metrolink line including the MediaCityUK stop will close, with no tram services running between Cornbrook and Eccles from Saturday 28 July to Thursday 9 August 2018 inclusive.

A full replacement bus service will be in operation for Metrolink passengers.

The closure is to accommodate works at Pomona in preparation for the next phase of construction of the new Trafford Park Metrolink line. During the closure, we will also be working with the Metrolink operator KAM and other partners to carry out additional enhancement works at Metrolink stops and at other locations along the Eccles route. All works are scheduled to take place during the same closure to minimise disruption for customers, local residents and businesses.

Please click here to access a copy of the letter sent to residents and businesses along the Eccles line, for your information.

In the meantime, if you have any queries regarding the works, please do not hesitate to contact me on 0161 244 1555 or email at MetrolinkTPL@tfgm.com. Information can also be found at Metrolink Eccles Line Closure.

Kind regards

Angela Forster

Senior Communications Officer

Transport for Greater Manchester

Cycle boost for Trafford

Work to provide more space and protection for people travelling by bike in Trafford has started, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Trafford Council announced today.

When complete, Stretford Cycleway will provide 3.2km of high quality cycling infrastructure on Stretford Road and Talbot Road, including segregated cycle lanes in both directions and improved cycle markings and carriageway surfacing.

The segregation will be provided by Rediweld ‘Wand Orcas’, which combine vertical wands with reflective markings and horizontal rubber modules to further protect cycle lanes from other road traffic.

Other measures set to be improved by the works include traffic signals, bus stops and pedestrian facilities. Bus stop and parking bay bypasses for people on bikes will also be created.

The aim of the scheme is to provide a safer, more segregated environment to encourage those with less confidence to saddle up more often.

Work will be done in two parts, with the first section already underway. The second part will see further improvements made to the West Point junction where the two roads meet. This will include a dedicated cycle phase at the junction that will boost safety by allowing the separation of cycles from motor vehicles.

Trafford Council has also committed to looking at further enhancements at all other junctions to allow the route to meet the design standards set out in Greater Manchester’s cycling and walking infrastructure proposal.

Executive Councillor for Environment, Air Quality and Climate Change, Cllr Steve Adshead, said: “This is great news for cyclists; this scheme will significantly enhance the experience for those travelling along one of Greater Manchester's major commuter routes.

“The initiative also supports the Council's commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of our residents. It will hopefully encourage people to be more active while reducing the number of car journeys so that there is a positive impact on air quality in the area.”

Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris Boardman, added: “Trafford Council deserve praise for committing to looking at enhancing this cycleway even further to make it work better at junctions for people on bikes and on foot.

“We will support Trafford to ensure that the route meets the high standards that will in time give it the full seal of approval.”

Work on the first phase of the project is currently expected to take up to five months to complete and as been strategically timed to try to minimise disruption to residents, businesses and current road users.

Following the £20 million first phase of the Greater Manchester Cycle City programme which is now complete, this second phase involves a £22 million investment in mainly segregated new and improved cycle routes across the region, five new cycle-friendly district centres, and further improvements to cycle parking. It also involves ten new schools joining the Cycle Schools and Colleges project, including Trafford College.

To find out more about the Cycle City programme, visit the TfGM cycling pages.

Chris Boardman launched an innovative new proposal last month to create a city-region-wide cycling and walking network made up of more than 1,000 miles of routes, including 75 miles of Dutch-style segregated bike lanes.

The network will be the largest joined-up system of walking and cycling routes in the UK and has been developed with all 10 Greater Manchester local authorities.