A greener future is on the way for St Peter’s Square as work started to plant more than 20 semi-mature trees as part of the Metrolink stop transformation.
Half a dozen trees are being installed in the square this week – between the new Metrolink line and Manchester Town Hall – with more to follow in coming months.
The new St Peter’s Square Metrolink stop being delivered by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is an integral part of Manchester City Council’s flagship redevelopment of the square into a major new civic space.
The 22 additional trees for the square will be part of a more welcoming public space. The different varieties, which have been grown in specialist nurseries for up to seven years, include Japanese Pagoda, Floxglove, London Plane and Pin Oak trees.
Metrolink contractor M-Pact Thales (MPT) is planting the trees as it carries out the final phase of work to build the new tram stop, due to open to passengers at the end of August.
Boasting two island platforms and two sets of track in each direction, the bigger stop will allow more frequent services to run through the city and across the network when the new Second City Crossing line opens next year.
Tram services have been suspended through the square while final works take place on the second platform, laying tracks, and installing all the fixtures and fittings.
Yorkstone paving is being laid around the tram stop and square to complement the existing paving following major works by Manchester City Council in 2014.
Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “St Peter’s Square has a proud history and it’s fantastic to see this next step in its evolution really taking shape.
“These trees will make a really pleasant setting for the tram stop, with two actually being planted on the tram platforms, nestling between canopies to give customers shade.
“St Peter’s Square is one of the city’s most important civic spaces so it’s fitting that Metrolink, another Manchester icon, is an integral part of the new-look design.
“Millions of passenger journeys will be made through this greener, cleaner and striking public area every year – and when the new Second City Crossing opens next year even more people will be able to travel into the city and enjoy everything Manchester has to offer.”
Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The regenerated St Peter’s Square will be at the heart of Manchester’s Civic Quarter, which is becoming an important new business district for the city.
“The Second City Crossing will significantly improve public transport across the city centre and it’s fitting that as one of the focal points of the city the square should play an important roles in this.”
Later this month, the newly cleaned 1908 stone cross marking the site of the former St Peter’s Church will be reinstated, taking pride of place directly opposite Central Library.
Special inlay paving around the cross will be etched with a design of the church, which was demolished in 1907, to mark its former location within the new-look modern space.
Tram tracks have been specially engineered to run directly over the former church crypt, which was unearthed, studied by archaeologists and carefully resealed during Metrolink works.
