Crumpsall Metrolink stop is set to be transformed, allowing customers to switch between Bury and future Trafford Park line services.
The popular tram stop will undergo a significant upgrade in readiness for the new £350million Trafford Park line, currently under construction and due to join the Metrolink network in 2020.
The new six-stop line, being delivered by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), is planned to run direct from intu Trafford Centre through Manchester city centre to the new Crumpsall stop.
It will mean a more frequent service for customers using the Crumpsall, Abraham Moss and Queens Road stops, with both Bury and Trafford Park line services running through them.
New track at the Crumpsall stop will allow Trafford Park line services to turn around, and the stop will have a larger platform for Manchester-bound services.
There will be better access with a new track level pedestrian crossing and improved stairs. An open design will improve safety and security and also make the stop a more pleasant place to wait for trams.
Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “Work is now well under way on the new Trafford Park line and it’s good to see the benefits will extend to customers living in the Crumpsall area.
“The new-look stop will offer a much more accessible, pleasant and safer space for Metrolink passengers.
“Once the new tram line through to intu Trafford Centre is open it will also mean more frequent services and much improved access to jobs and leisure across the wider tram network.”
The first phase of works at Crumpsall is now under way and due to be completed mid-2018. A final phase of work will take place before the new Trafford Park line opens in 2020.
Initially, work will see the removal of the old lift shaft, footbridge and disabled access ramp on the Manchester-bound platform. The stairs on the Bury-bound platform will also be upgraded.
The majority of the work is being carried out during the daytime, however, some works will take place outside operational hours for safety reasons.
During the works, 12 parking spaces at Crumpsall Park & Ride are temporarily unavailable, but there are still more than 30 free park and ride spaces for customers to use.
TfGM is working with the contractor, M-Pact Thales, Manchester City Council and operator, KeolisAmey Metrolink, to minimise disruption. There will be occasional service changes on the Bury line to accommodate work and customers will be notified in advance.
The first change to services will come on the weekend of 2/3 September, when services between Bury and Victoria will be replaced by a bus service.
Crumpsall Park and Ride will also be closed from 10pm on Friday 1 September until 4am on Monday 4 September.
