Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is set to continue its collaboration with MPact Thales (MPT) and WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff to deliver the Metrolink extension to intu Trafford Centre via Trafford Park.
Council leaders gave the green light for TfGM to continue the contracts for the delivery and management of the scheme to design and construct the line at a meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
MPT is a consortium of Thales, Laing O’Rourke and VolkerRail. Laing O’Rourke and VolkerRail carry on having responsibility for the design and construction of the civil engineering and track, while Thales will deliver the operating systems for the trams and WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff will continue as TfGM’s Delivery Partner.
Trafford Park is the biggest major employment zone in Greater Manchester away from the city centre and is home to more than 1,300 businesses and over 35,000 jobs. It’s employees travel from across Greater Manchester and further afield.
The new Trafford Park line – 3.4mile – 5.5km – will increase the size of the Metrolink network to more than 64 miles – 103km – served by 99 stops.
It will branch off from the existing Pomona stop and call at six new tram stops at key destinations, including Wharfside, near to Old Trafford football stadium, the Imperial War Museum, key business areas through Europe’s largest industrial estate and to visitor destinations such as Eventcity and the intu Trafford Centre.
TfGM’s Metrolink Director, Peter Cushing, said: “Together we have developed a tried and tested approach to delivering our award winning expansion programme.
“We have achieved a phenomenal amount since 2008 with bigger and better things still to come so I’m pleased our award winning partnership will continue with the expansion of the Trafford Park line.”
Bryan Glass, MPT’s joint venture board director, said: “The Laing O’Rourke, VolkerRail and Thales MPT consortium has successfully delivered three main contract extensions for Manchester Metrolink with the team on schedule to complete the Second City Crossing early next year.
“We are therefore delighted that TfGM has appointed us as a trusted partner to deliver the latest phase of the Metrolink’s growth taking the line through Trafford Park to the Trafford Centre
