First look at new city centre Exchange Square Metrolink stop

NEW artist’s impressions reveal what the new city centre Metrolink stop at Exchange Square will look like when it opens in winter.

Foundations for the new stop are being laid on Corporation Street outside the Manchester Arndale, as part of Metrolink’s transformational Second City Crossing.

Construction work on the stop will start this summer after Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Manchester City Council agreed a final design that makes the most of limited space in Exchange Square while keeping plenty of room for pedestrians.

Architects Simpson Haugh and Partners’ innovative ‘island-style’ platform design will feature a brightly coloured steel and glass shelter with four ‘floating’ overlapping glazed roof panels. The pavilion style will make sure that the stop is visible in long views across Corporation Street.

On stop ‘furniture’ such as information displays and seating will be integrated into polished concrete columns to give the stop a clean, uncluttered design.

Work started last year to lay new Second City Crossing tracks on the section of the new line between Manchester Victoria and Exchange Square, which is being fast-tracked thanks to a major European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) grant.

Trams could be running between Victoria and the brand new stop in Exchange Square as soon as winter 2015/16 – allowing Metrolink to run more trams between Shaw and Crompton and the city, ahead of the whole Second City Crossing being completed in 2017.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “We’re seeing real progress with the Second City Crossing with track works well advanced along Corporation Street and work due to start this summer on brand new stops for St Peter’s Square and Exchange Square.

“The ultramodern designs for the new Exchange Square stop are impressive and it will be a great addition to a lively area of the city, making it even easier to visit the great range of shops, cultural and leisure destinations in the area.

“The Second City Crossing also promises to improve travel both across the city and further afield, with more trams connecting more people with jobs.”

Councillor Kate Chappell, Manchester City Council’s executive member for the environment, said: “The new stop will not only look fantastic, it’s been designed with the tram user in mind,  providing the best possible experience for the tens of thousands of visitors who will use it to get to the heart of the city centre’s shopping area.

“The stop will also form part of the Second City Crossing, making it easier for people to travel across Manchester and access a huge range of jobs.”