Development of Manchester Metrolink light rail system
Parts of this article (those related to network expansion announced in 2024-25) need to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(June 2025)
An existing Metrolink M5000 tram atPiccadilly. Aclass 399 tram-train vehicle in operation on theSheffield Supertram network. TheGreater Manchester Combined Authority is investigating the use of similar vehicles to extend services onto under-utilised heavy rail lines across Greater Manchester and beyond.
In January 2019, theGreater Manchester Combined Authority published a draft delivery plan detailing its transport priorities for the next five years. Contained within the document are options to extend some Metrolink lines as well as expansion of Metrolink-style services onto the localheavy rail network usingtram-train vehicles.[1] Following consultations, a revised draft delivery plan was published in January 2021, with the publishing of the final plan, subject to approval, in February.[2]
Business cases to be completed within the next five years
Manchester Airport–Wilmslow via Styal tram-train pathfinder: A tram-train service operating on the southern section of the heavy railStyal Line between Manchester Airport andWilmslow in Cheshire.
South Manchester–Hale via Altrincham tram-train pathfinder: An extension of Metrolink'sAltrincham Line using tram-train to reachHale on the heavy railMid-Cheshire line.
Improved Metrolink frequency between Piccadilly and Victoria stations: Increasing capacity to provide a direct service from Rochdale and Oldham toManchester Piccadilly.
Interventions to improve Metrolink capacity and reliability: Includes improvements to turnback facilities and double-tracking currently single-track sections.
Options to be further developed over the next five years
Further interventions to improve Metrolink capacity and reliability: Includes longer vehicles, a third depot and double-tracking currently single-track sections.
Connections between Salford Crescent, Inner Salford and the City Centre: Extension of the MediaCityUK–Salford Crescent line into the regional centre.
Completion of the Airport Line (Wythenshawe Loop): Completion of the Wythenshawe Loop by connecting the Metrolink lines between the Davenport Green andManchester Airport Terminal 2 extensions.
Glossop tram-train: A tram-train service utilising theGlossop line between Manchester andGlossop in Derbyshire.
Marple tram-train: A tram-train service utilising theHope Valley Line branches north of Marple towards Manchester.
Manchester–Wigan via Atherton tram-train: A tram-train service utilising the Atherton section of theManchester–Southport line between Manchester and Wigan.
Manchester–Warrington tram-train: A tram-train service utilising the southern route of theLiverpool–Manchester lines between Manchester andWarrington.
Stockport–Hazel Grove tram-train: A tram-train service betweenStockport and the suburb ofHazel Grove.
Stockport–Manchester Airport tram-train: A tram-train service between Stockport and Manchester Airport.
Rochdale–Bury via Heywood tram-train: Extension of the Oldham–Heywood tram-train pathfinder from Heywood toBury.
Manchester Airport–Mid Cheshire tram-train: A tram-train service from Manchester Airport using a proposed Western Link rail line to theMid-Cheshire line.
Stockport–Ashton via Denton and Reddish tram-train: A tram-train service utilising theStockport–Stalybridge line from Stockport to Ashton.
Cornbrook–Manchester Airport via Timperley tram-train: A tram-train service fromCornbrook using the Altrincham line to Timperley, the Mid Cheshire line toBaguley, then the Wythenshawe Loop to Manchester Airport.
Regional centre metro tunnel: Providing capacity for more services on the network.
Projects to be investigated beyond the 5-year delivery plan
As part of (now rejected) developments related to bringingHigh Speed 2 (HS2) andNorthern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) to Manchester, High Speed Two Limited had proposed the present two-platformPiccadilly Metrolink stop at ground-level below the existing station platforms to be relocated.[3] A new larger four-platform stop located underground below the Manchester Piccadilly High Speed station was planned to replace it. Provision for a second ground-level Metrolink stop at the eastern end of the high speed station to service future Metrolink extensions, to be called Piccadilly Central, also formed part of the plans. At the proposedManchester Airport High Speed station provision for a new Metrolink stop — potentially serving an extension from the existingAirport line — was also envisaged.[4]
A spur fromWestwood tram stop on the Oldham and Rochdale Line to Middleton town centre, then joining the Bury Line near Bowker Vale, in line with the proposed Middleton extension.
The Ashton Loop, extending the line beyond Ashton town centre toOldham Mumps.
Both would connect Rochdale to its neighbouring towns without the need to travel in and out of Manchester city centre.Initial high level feasibility work was undertaken by officials at Transport for Greater Manchester, which demonstrated the route is technically possible.[6]
In January 2015, Stockport Metropolitan Borough adopted a Rail Strategy proposing substantial conversion of current rail alignments around Stockport to tram-train operation, running into an interchange atStockport bus station. These proposed services expand on, and are consistent with, those outlined in the TfGM tram-train strategy document. Earlier plans (now discarded) had envisaged the Metrolink line toEast Didsbury being extended to Stockport along the Mersey Valley. The revised plan proposes instead a revised alignment for this link viaEdgeley andStockport railway station.
In the Rail Strategy, Stockport MBC also outline longer-term aspirations to establish tram-train services between Stockport town centre and Marple; and between Stockport town centre andAshton town centre.[9]
