Metrolink comes to Ashton
Metrolink comes to Ashton
Plans to extend Metrolink from Droylsden to Ashton have been given the green light by the Department of Transport 
.
Construction work is already underway for the new tram line from Piccadilly to Droylsden. Transport minister Sadiq Khan today (Monday 8th March 2010) announced this will be extended a further 3.9km to Ashton town centre , with new stops at Audenshaw, Ashton Moss , Ashton West and Ashton-Under-Lyne.
The package also includes funding for two new Park and Ride sites at Ashton Moss and Ashton West, which will be able to accommodate more than 600 cars in total.
The extension work, due to get underway later this year with completion expected in 2013, forms part of the Greater Manchester Transport Fund - a £1.5 billion investment programme covering 15 major transport schemes for Greater Manchester.
It’s a further boost to the borough’s transport network which is already benefiting from funding for the final leg of the Ashton Northern bypass scheme and from a share of £45m programme of safety repairs and maintenance work on retaining walls.
The new line and relating construction works will also give Tameside the opportunity to bring super fast broadband internet access along the West Tameside corridor, enabling the borough to offer cutting edge digital access to local communities and businesses as well as potential investors.
GMPTE will now appoint contractors for the Metrolink extensions, with the aim of giving as much of the work as possible to local contractors as part of the Tameside Works First initiative.
Transport Minister Sadiq Khan said: “The Metrolink extension is fantastic news not just for Manchester but for the region. It will put Manchester in the European premier league when it comes to transport and jobs will be created all along the line, not just in the city centre.”
Tameside Council Leader Cllr Roy Oldham said: “This is great news for Ashton and Tameside. Work on Metrolink will now continue uninterrupted from Droylsden to Ashton town centre and will benefit all of our communities in terms of better transport links, more jobs and further investment in the borough.
"The provision of the trams into Ashton Centre alongside the bus station and rail station provide a transport hub of significance. This allows us, with the Northern bypass, to plan a complete new layout of retail, car parking and other facilities in Ashton."
| Contact Information | |
|---|---|
 Send us a Message |
 Media, Marketing and Communications Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne OL6 6DL |
 0161 342 3548
|
|
 0161 342 3779
|
|
