Timeline of Manchester Metrolink

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

1960s[edit]

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 (the 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[edit]

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[edit]

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

1982

  • GMPTE conclude that an overground 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]

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[edit]

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 1200 V DC third rail electrified line is adapted for a 750 V DC overhead line operation.[25]

1992

  • Metrolink begins its first passenger service on 6 April 1992 on a route between Victoria and Bury.[26][27]
  • Metrolink services expand beyond Victoria to G-Mex tram stop on 27 April 1992.[27]
  • Phase 1 on Metrolink's construction is completed with a service through to Altrincham joining the network on 15 June 1992.[27]
  • Elizabeth II declares Metrolink open at a ceremony in Manchester on 17 July 1992, stating that Metrolink would "improve communication" between northern and southern Greater Manchester.[28][27][29]
  • The spur to Manchester Piccadilly station via Piccadilly Gardens is opened on 20 July 1992. Piccadilly tram stop was originally named Piccadilly Undercroft.

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

  • In 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[edit]

2000

2001

2003

  • In March 2003, Serco Investments buy out its partners; Altram (Manchester) Limited becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Serco.[31]

2004

  • A derailment occurs at Shudehill on 31 August 2004.[35]

2005

  • A derailment occurs on London Road on 11 January 2005.[35]
  • Work on Central Park tram stop and a flyover at Newton Heath over the heavy Caldervale Line commences in April 2005.[36]
  • On 8 November 2005 a near miss occurs between two track workers and a tram; the tram ran over track maintenance equipment.[37]

2006

  • A derailment occurs on 22 March 2006 at Long Millgate, Manchester, as a result of a track defect.[35]
  • A person becomes trapped under a Metrolink vehicle on 20 May 2006, causing a three-hour delay on the system.[37]

2007

2008

2009

  • In May 2009, Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (formerly GMPTA) and AGMA agree to create the Greater Manchester Transport Fund, £1.5billion 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]
  • The Oldham Loop Line closes on 3 October 2009 for conversion from heavy rail to Metrolink.[48][49]

2010s[edit]

2010

  • Phase 3b is approved with funding on a line-by-line basis between March and August 2010.[20][50]
  • MediaCityUK tram stop station opens to passengers on 20 September 2010.[51]

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

  • 26 June 2016: Start of a two-month closure of the Eccles Line for essential track maintenance.[84]

2017

  • 26 February 2017: The 2nd City Crossing (2CC) opens between St Peter's Square and Victoria via Exchange Square
  • 15 July 2017: Keolis Amey take over from RATP Group as operator[85][86]
  • 22 July 2017: The entire network was shut down twice in one day due to multiple communication failures across the network.[87]

2020s[edit]

2020

2021

  • 26 July 2021: Damage to 43 tram pantographs results in a Sunday service (every 12 minutes at the time) being carried out on the network instead of the usual for a Monday. Services returned to normal the following day.[89]

2023

  • 11 June 2023: A damaged overhead line on Manchester Victoria East Junction caused disruption on the Bury and Oldham-Rochdale lines. Services returned to normal on 15 June.

2024

  • 16 January 2024: Cracked rail is discovered at Victoria, service changes are implemented.
  • 22 January 2024: Exchange Square tram stop temporarily closes due to cracked rail at Victoria.
  • 12 February 2024: Exchange Square reopens with services to East Didsbury only during peak times.
  • 6 April 2024: Following the discovery of a cracked rail near Portland Street, services through Piccadilly Gardens stop were suspended from 5pm.
  • 21 April 2024: Improvement works began on the Oldham and Rochdale Line. No services operated between Freehold and Rochdale Town Centre.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  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 c "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. Retrieved 19 January 2013.[permanent dead link]
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  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.
  40. ^ "Stagecoach take over tram service". BBC News. 15 July 2007. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  41. ^ Young 2008, p. 160.
  42. ^ "The Link" (PDF). tfgm.com. 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2013.[permanent dead link]
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  44. ^ Rail Accident Report: Derailment at St Peter's Square, Manchester 29 June 2008 (PDF) (Report). Rail Accident Investigation Branch. February 2011.
  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.
  48. ^ Kirby, Dean (1 October 2009). "Signalman reaches end of line". Manchester Evening News. menmedia.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
  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.
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  51. ^ Metrolink trams pull in to MediaCityUK station for first time Manchester Evening News 20 September 2010
  52. ^ "Manchester Metrolink starts Phase 3b". Railway Gazette International. railwaygazette.com. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  53. ^ "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.
  54. ^ Rail Accident Report: Fatal accident at Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, 5 June 2011 (PDF) (Report). Rail Accident Investigation Branch. May 2012.
  55. ^ Jones, Chris (27 July 2011). "Kingsway developers to foot the bill for Metrolink tram stop". Manchester Evening News. menmedia.co.uk. Retrieved 19 January 2013.[permanent dead link]
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  57. ^ 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.
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  60. ^ 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.
  61. ^ "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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  67. ^ 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.
  68. ^ "Overnight Metrolink works in July". Rochdale Online. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  69. ^ Kirby, Dean (8 July 2013). "Metrolink trams set to start rolling into Ashton-under-Lyne". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  70. ^ Qureshi, Yakub (31 July 2013). "Pensioner Found Dead on Metrolink Line". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  71. ^ "Metrolink Tram Collides with Car in City Centre". Manchester Evening News. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  72. ^ "Metrolink Tram Derails Blocking the Line to Bury". Manchester Evening News. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  73. ^ Wellings, Richard (August 2013). "The high-Speed gravy Train: IEA Current Controversies Paper No. 46" (PDF). Institute of Economic Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 August 2013.
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  75. ^ "How HS2 could transform Manchester Piccadilly station". globalrailnews.com. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
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  79. ^ "Twitter / TamesideCouncil: CllrRobinson announces that ..." Tameside Council. Twitter. 10 September 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  80. ^ "Metro Arrives Early". Tameside Reporter. 11 September 2013. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
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  82. ^ "Travel by tram" (PDF).
  83. ^ "Next stop Exchange Square! Metrolink trams now running to new city centre stop". TfGM. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  84. ^ 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.
  85. ^ KeolisAmey Awarded Contract to run Greater Manchester's Metrolink Archived 23 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine Keolis
  86. ^ Southern Rail operator to take over running of Metrolink Manchester Evening News 18 January 2017
  87. ^ Abbit, Beth (23 July 2017). "Metrolink network suspended for SECOND time after 'communications fault'". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  88. ^ "New Metrolink fares from 26 January 2020". New Metrolink fares from 26 January 2020 | Bee Network | Powered by TfGM. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  89. ^ Dobson, Charlotte (26 July 2021). "Manchester Metrolink services to return to normal after disruption". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 1 March 2024.

Bibliography[edit]

External links[edit]