TRANSPORT for Greater Manchester have announced the creation of a new Metrolink line through the heart of Manchester city centre which will bring temporary changes to Albert Square.
"We’ve chosen the least disruptive method at the same time as maintaining traffic and pedestrian links"
On completion in 2017, the Second City Crossing (2CC) will increase capacity in the Metrolink system and allow additional and more frequent services to run to meet ever-growing demand.
To install the new tramway, pipes and cables need to be diverted away from its path.
As a result, work will be carried out in two phases in Albert Square from the start of August until the end of October, and again from January until March next year.
Metrolink aims to minimise disruption to city centre events, and Manchester City Council is working closely with organisers.
In order to protect Albert Square’s heritage, hundreds of individual cobbles will be lifted, photographed and recorded – and will be reinstated one by one.
View from John Dalton Street looking towards the Town Hall and Albert Square
A temporary surface will be installed from the end of October until the cobbles are permanently reinstated between January and March next year, to support Albert Square’s peak events season.
Access to the Town Hall’s main entrance will be maintained at all times. No trees will be affected and at least one lane of traffic will be in place along Albert Square and Princess Street at all times.
Peter Cushing, Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) Metrolink Director, said: “This is a crucial part of the Second City Crossing project and we’ve planned it in detail: even to the point of recording each and every one of the cobbles affected.
"We’ve chosen the least disruptive method at the same time as maintaining traffic and pedestrian links.
“The Second City Crossing is going to be of massive benefit to the city, to its businesses and to all Metrolink passengers and I’m grateful for everyone’s patience and understanding while we carry out essential work.”
The 2CC route will begin in Lower Mosley Street and run through St Peter’s Square, before turning down Princess Street and then heading along Cross Street and Corporation Street before re-joining the existing Metrolink line just outside Victoria.
As part of the project, new stops will be built in Exchange Square and St Peter’s Square.
More information about 2CC can be found at www.transformationinformation.co.uk, or by contacting the Future Metrolink team on 0161 244 1555 (during office hours) or emailing future.metrolink@tfgm.com.
