TfGM submits Second City Crossing application

TRANSPORT for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has taken another step towards delivering the Second City Crossing for Metrolink in Manchester by applying to the government to operate the route.

It has submitted a Transport and Works Act Order application to the Department for Transport – the formal process required to secure the legal powers to build and operate the new line.

Its application follows a 14-week consultation period with the public last year to ask for their views on the crossing, which will run from St Peter’s Square, Princess St, Cross St and Corporation St to Manchester Victoria station.

Once complete, it will provided the extra capacity needed to expand Metrolink to Ashton Under-Lyne, East Didsbury and Manchester Airport. The number of trams running on the network will increase from 25 currently up to 45.

Cllr Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM committee, said: “The Second City Crossing is a crucial part of the expanding Metrolink network, which will become the biggest light rail network in the country once all the new lines are completed.

“So I’m delighted that we’re entering the next phase of the project and making progress on such an important scheme.

“We will now continue to work closely with Manchester City Council on how best to deliver it, in the context of the major redevelopment and pedestrianisation of St Peter’s Square, work starting on the complementary Cross City Bus scheme, and the aims of the city centre transport strategy.”

New stops will be built at St Peter’s Square and at Exchange Square as part of the project.

A video of how the Second City Crossing will work is available here.