Transport bosses have been given the go ahead to expand the Metrolink network through Trafford Park.
The new line, worth some £350 million, will branch off from Pomona and call at six new tram stops: at Wharfside, near Old Trafford, the Imperial War Museum North at Salford Quays, Trafford Park Village, Parkway, EventCity and the Trafford Centre.
New line will branch off from Pomona
The 3.4 mile line will pass under the Trafford Road Bridge and run alongside the Manchester Ship Canal before joining Trafford Wharf Road.
The route will turn left onto Warren Bruce Road and then bear to the right onto Village Way up to Parkway.
It then crosses over the Bridgewater Canal before turning right onto Barton Dock Road, terminating outside the intu Trafford Centre.
TfGM say most of the line will not be on existing roads, so these busy traffic routes will not be affected.
A contractor to build the line is expected to be appointed shortly.
The £350 million funding package to build the line has already been secured by Greater Manchester Combined Authority through the ‘earn back’ funding arrangement as part of the Greater Manchester devolution deal.
If work starts by December 2016 as expected, the Trafford Park line could be up and running by 2021.
Metrolink has tripled in size in recent years as part of a £1.5 billion expansion, making it the largest light rail network in the UK.
Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport, granted TfGM legal powers to build the new Metrolink line under a Transport and Works Act order.
The new Trafford Park line increases the size of the Metrolink network to more than 66 miles (106.5km) served by 99 stops.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Tony Lloyd, welcomed the news, saying: “Today’s announcement is another big step forward for Greater Manchester.
“I’m delighted that our long held ambition to build a new Metrolink line through Trafford Park is now about to become a reality.
“This new line will boost our economy and bring us closer to our goal of a world class transport system for Greater Manchester. I look forward to seeing the first shovel in the ground this winter.”
