Later this year Manchester's modern tramway network will be extended as far as Droylsden. The remaining section from Droylsden to Ashton is expected to open about a year later. However work on the line into Ashton is already fairly well advanced and, as you can see, the platforms for the terminus is Ashton are already taking shape. There are even sections of tram rail in place on each side of the central platform. The bus station is immediately behind the tram terminus.
Unlike most tramway systems in Europe, Manchester's trams require high platforms, taking up a lot more space than those of other systems such as those in Sheffield, Nottingham and the new trams in Blackpool. This was because the original Metrolink line used former railway lines between Manchester and Bury and Altrincham. In view of the size the network will be by 2015, it would probably have worked out much cheaper in the long term if they had re-built all the former railway platforms as low platforms!
A plan showing the layout of the new tram terminus can be seen here. A map of the tram route from Droylsden to Ashton can be seen here. Links to maps of other parts of the route and to the other new tram routes can be found on this page.
See Google Street View of this location.
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Now we can understand a little of the changing face of Ashton. This photograph explains so much.
ReplyDeleteNote the 2 story apartments are still close by!
Thank You
Looks like an exciting development. Good to see some new transport infrastructure!
ReplyDeleteI travelled on the 216 from Manchester on Thursday sitting on the top deck. Seems to be a lot of work still to be done. I can't understand how the traffic will cope with the trams running down the middle of the road from Clayton to Audenshaw. For most of the way the bus was driving along the tracks.
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