Trafford Centre tram extension could open in 2019

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) are to debate the pros and cons of extending the city’s tram network to the Trafford Centre.

Officials will meet on Friday (December 5) to discuss the feasibility of a new 5.5-kilometre line from Pomona along the Manchester Ship Canal to the city’s shopping hub.

The new route would follow Trafford Wharf Road and Warren Bruce Road before running through the Village area of Trafford Park, crossing Parkway Circle and Bridgewater Canal.

If all goes to plan, the line could be completed in 2019.

Destinations including Old Trafford, the Imperial War Museum North and EventCity would all be connected to the city’s tram network by the link.

Funding is already in place to begin planning and designing the route, including an order for 10 new trams from Bombardier valued at £2 million a vehicle. TfGM said delaying the order by just a year could see the unit price increase by around £1.5 million.

Councillor Andrew Fender, chairman of the TfGM Committee, said: “There is a great deal of work ahead of us before we can start to think of shovels hitting the ground, but I’m really pleased that it is building momentum and I look forward to more progress being made in the coming months and years.”