Manchester Metrolink create job and apprenticeship opportunities

Plans to expand Greater Manchester’s Metrolink network have been given the go-ahead by Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling.

The expansion will involve building a new £350 million 3.4 mile line through Trafford Park under a Transport and Works Act order.

Opportunities

Trafford Park is currently home to over 1,000 businesses and over 33,000 jobs, making it the largest employment zone in Greater Manchester.

The expansion will help to provide a transport boost for the local area, creating transport links for workers and helping to link people to business opportunities, which will create more jobs and apprenticeship opportunities.

With permission for expansion being granted, work on the new line could begin around winter and may be completed by 2020/2021. Plans for the Trafford Park line have been developed by Transport for Greater Manchester, and a contractor will be appointed shortly.

The Metrolink has already been expanded in recent years as part of a £1.5 million expansion and is now the UK’s largest light rail network. 

Vital

The expansion plans have been welcomed by local authorities, with Mayor of Manchester Tony Lloyd saying that it will help to boost the local economy.

Trafford Council Leader, Sean Anstee, also commented on the plans, stating: “This is great news for Trafford and the Greater Manchester area. It will bring countless opportunities for further investment in the borough and across the region.”

He added: “Excellent transport links are vital to make Greater Manchester as attractive as possible for businesses to establish themselves here and, with them, more jobs and apprenticeship opportunities.”