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This timeline of Manchester Metrolink lists significant events in the history of Greater Manchester's light rail network.
The Transport Act 1968 sets out the terms under which passenger transport executives and passenger transport authorities are to be formed to co-ordinate and operate public transport in the United Kingdom's six largest conurbations outside London.[1]
1969
SELNEC PTE (the South East Lancashire North East Cheshire Passenger Transport Executive) is established on 1 November 1969 with reference to the Transport Act 1968 to improve public transport in Manchester and its surrounding municipalities.[2]
The Greater Manchester County Council publishes its structure plan in January 1974,[7] acknowledging its obligation to provide "an integrated and efficient system of public transport".[8]
Unable to secure funding from the government,[11] the Greater Manchester County Council abandons plans for the Picc-Vic tunnel on economic grounds.[12][10]
GMPTE conclude that an overground metropolitan light rail system to replace or complement the region's under-used heavy railways is the most economical solution to improving Greater Manchester's public transport network.[8]
1983
As part of its proposals for light rail, GMPTE suggest that the Oldham Loop Line be re-routed and extended with on-street tramways through Oldham and Rochdale town centres.[13]
The Greater Manchester County Council purchases a disused section of the Cheshire Lines Committee railway between Chorlton-cum-Hardy and Didsbury for £1, hoping to stop development along the route and preserve it for use with a future light rail network.[14]
1984
A Rail Study Group composed of officials from British Rail, Greater Manchester County Council and GMPTE, formally endorse a light rail system for Greater Manchester.[8]
1985
The Local Government Act 1985 receives Royal Assent on 16 July 1985, stating that "the Greater London Council; and the metropolitan county councils" shall cease to exist.[citation needed]
1986
The Greater Manchester County Council is abolished on 31 March 1986 under the Local Government Act 1985. GMPTE becomes a joint-board of the ten district councils of Greater Manchester.[2]
GMPTE propose that Greater Manchester's light rail system include a line to Salford Quays to complement the regeneration of the Manchester Docks.[15][16]
The contract to design, build, maintain and operate Metrolink is formally signed on 6 June 1990.[24]
Legal authority to construct a Metrolink line to Salford Quays is acquired.[15][16]
1991
The Bury Line between Manchester and Bury is closed in stages between 13 July 1991 and 17 August 1991. Its 1200 V DC third rail electrified line is adapted for a 750 V DC overhead line operation.[25]
1992
Metrolink begins its first passenger service on 6 April 1992 on a route between Victoria and Bury.[26][27]
Metrolink services expand beyond Victoria to G-Mex tram stop on 27 April 1992.[27]
Phase 1 on Metrolink's construction is completed with a service through to Altrincham joining the network on 15 June 1992.[27]
Elizabeth II declares Metrolink open at a ceremony in Manchester on 17 July 1992, stating that Metrolink would "improve communication" between northern and southern Greater Manchester.[28][27][29]
1994
A public consultation and public inquiry result in government endorsement of a Metrolink line to Salford Quays in 1994.[25][15][16]
1995
In autumn 1995 a 4-mile (6.4 km) Metrolink line branching from Cornbrook tram stop to Eccles via Salford Quays is confirmed as Phase 2 of Metrolink.[25][15][16]
1997
In April 1997 Altram, a consortium of the Serco, Gio. Ansaldo & C. and John Laing is appointed to construct the Eccles line; Serco takes on responsibility to operate and maintain the whole network under contract.[15][16][30]
Serco Metrolink, a wholly owned subsidiary of Serco Limited, take over the operations and maintenance of Metrolink on 26 May 1997.[31]
The Eccles Line is officially opened as far as Broadway tram stop on 6 December 1999 by Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who praises Metrolink as "exactly the type of scheme needed to solve the transport problems of the metropolitan areas of the country".[32][33]
2000s
2000
Services from Broadway to Eccles Interchange join the network on 21 July 2000, completing Phase 2.[25][15]
In May 2009, Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (formerly GMPTA) and AGMA agree to create the Greater Manchester Transport Fund, £1.5billion raised from a combination of a levy on council tax in Greater Manchester, government grants, contributions from the Manchester Airports Group, Metrolink fares and third-party funding for "major transport schemes" in the region.[47][20]
The Oldham Loop Line closes on 3 October 2009 for conversion from heavy rail to Metrolink.[48][49]
2010s
2010
Phase 3b is approved with funding on a line-by-line basis between March and August 2010.[20][50]
Phase 3a is completed with the extension of services along the Oldham and Rochdale Line from Shaw and Crompton and Rochdale railway station on 28 February 2013. Metrolink becomes 43 miles (69 km) in system length.[64][65]
Mosley Street tram stop closes on 17 May 2013 as part of a plan to remove a bottleneck in Manchester city centre.[66]
The 2.7-mile (4.3 km) route of the South Manchester Line from St Werburgh's Road to East Didsbury tram stop opens on 23 May 2013 – three months ahead of schedule. It is the first section of Phase 3b line to open, and adds five new stops to the network.[14][67]
On 31 July 2013, a man walks in front of a tram at Freehold tram stop, in Chadderton. Paramedics pronounce him dead at the scene.[70]
On 1 August 2013, a car collides with a tram on Mosley Street in Manchester city centre.[71]
On 3 August 2013, tram 3056, which was not in service, derails at the entrance to the Queen's Road depot.[72]
The Institute of Economic Affairs publishes its appraisal of High Speed 2 on 19 August 2013, raising concerns that the high-speed railway will require indirect taxpayer funding by way of providing additional or enhanced infrastructure to integrate it with local transport systems. It cites Metrolink as an example of a system that would require modification to accommodate HS2 in Manchester.[73]
Trams are tested on the Phase 3b route through Oldham town centre on 20 August 2013.[74]
Docherty, Iain; Shaw, Jon (20 July 2011). A New Deal for Transport: The UK's struggle with the sustainable transport agenda. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN978-1-4443-5551-2.
Donald, T.; Cross, M.; Bristow, Roger (1983). English Structure Planning. Routledge. ISBN0-85086-094-6.
Fawcett, Paul (2000). Managing Passenger Logistics: The Comprehensive Guide to People and Transport. Kogan Page Publishers. ISBN978-0-7494-3214-0.
Frangopulo, Nicholas Joseph (1977). Tradition in action: the historical evolution of the Greater Manchester County. EP Publishing. ISBN0-7158-1203-3.
GMPTE (2000). Metrolink, Transforming Our Future: A Network for the 21st Century. Manchester: GMPTE Promotions.
