Boost for Rochdale’s Metrolink services

Rochdale’s new Metrolink line will have a stop at Kingsway Business Park, under a package of new measures agreed by transport leaders today.

Members of Transport for Greater Manchester’s Capital Projects and Policy sub-committee today agreed:

• a funding package with Rochdale MBC to provide the £2.5 million Kingsway stop;
• changes to the town centre line that will avoid a five-month delay and substantial additional costs.

Kingsway Business Park is a key strategic objective for Rochdale MBC and has regional significance. It is expected to support around 7,000 jobs across a range of industries and providing a Metrolink stop is critical to maximising access to the site.

Committee members have also agreed to amend the town centre line to run on a single line section through the junction of Drake Street and Smith Street before returning to two tracks on the approach to the town centre stop.

A review of the designs found that a twin-track approach from the train station to the Smith Street stop would require significant structural improvements, or replacement of, Wellington Bridge over the River Roche.

Councillor Roger Jones, Chair of the Capital Projects and Policy sub-committee, said: “Today is a great day for Rochdale’s new Metrolink line, which will provide frequent, high quality services.

“Providing a stop at Kingsway Business Park will no doubt spark a great deal of interest from businesses looking for a well-connected, regional site. It will take the development to the next level, so I’m delighted we’ve been able to work with Rochdale Council to agree funding.

“With the town centre line, we’ve managed to avoid significant additional costs and a substantial delay because the decision we’ve made today comes at no extra cost and fits in to the current schedule. So we’ve effectively gone from ‘lose-lose’ to ‘win-win’.

“On top of that, it will have no impact on the turnaround time for trams, and journey times will be increased by no more than three seconds per tram, so this really is a good result all round.”

Members also agreed that officers at Rochdale Council should be made aware of the additional costs and potential delays associated with providing a stop at Drake Street in future.